This act prohibits a board of education or the special administrative board of a school district from placing a restrictive covenant in a deed that prohibits the use of real property as a school providing instruction for grades kindergarten through twelve. In addition, any restrictive covenant on real property previously operated as a public school in any deed that has been filed in the office of the recorder of deeds will be void and unenforceable.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Senate Bill Proposed Ending Deed Restriction
A bill was proposed in the Missouri Senate concerning the deed restriction issue that is outraging the St. Louis community.
"School buildings belong to the community."
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated in an interview with the Washington Post:
The statement is extremely relevant to the St. Louis Public School deed restriction issue. The public school board and unions need to listen to the outcries of the community.
The current deed restriction is ethically, economically and logically absurd! And those living in the areas with closed/closing schools and even the U.S. Education Secretary publicly agree.
"School buildings don't belong to us. They don't belong to the unions. School buildings belong to the community."
The statement is extremely relevant to the St. Louis Public School deed restriction issue. The public school board and unions need to listen to the outcries of the community.
The current deed restriction is ethically, economically and logically absurd! And those living in the areas with closed/closing schools and even the U.S. Education Secretary publicly agree.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Bill Proposed Ending Deed Restriction
A bill was proposed in Jefferson City addressing the ridiculous St. Louis Public School deed restriction policy that has the community outraged. It would allow these buildings, that were publicly funded and built for education, to be sold to charter and private schools.
But the bigger question this newscast begs: is the teacher's union really fighting for more vacant buildings in St. Louis? It is absolutely mind-blowing that local 420 and other activists are so selfishly opposed to providing proper education close to home. Maybe if they spent the same time and energy educating our children, as they do actively supporting absurd policies that hurt our community, then maybe they wouldn't feel so threatened by parent's actually being allowed to choose the best school for their children. Abandon buildings only lead to trouble, everyone knows that. Oh, and Charter Schools ARE public schools.
KSDK: Video & story
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Obama Recognizes Charter Schools as a Key to the Foundation of Future Prosperity
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools President and CEO Nelson Smith issued the following statement yesterday:
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. Currently, more than 1.4 million students attend 4,600 public charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Over 1,000 schools have opened in the past three years.
"Although the exact numbers will not be known until April, we're pleased to see President Obama follow through on campaign promises by including an expansion of federal support for public charter schools in the FY2010 budget released today. Here and in his address to Congress Tuesday night, the President has emphasized that despite tough fiscal times, high-quality charter schools deserve increased support - indeed, that they are one of the keys to laying a firm foundation for future prosperity. We will work with the Administration and Congress to ensure that the new funding is paired with conscientious and evenhanded accountability for performance.
There is much else to applaud. The budget brief calls for increased transparency around results for teacher and principal preparation programs - a position that mirrors our call for charter leadership programs whose performance is measured by student results.
Increased support for 'school systems and nonprofit organizations with
demonstrated track records of success in raising student achievement' will allow high-performing, gap-closing charters to serve more of the 350,000 students now on waiting lists around the country.
Finally, the budget statement includes an important commitment to research 'promising educational innovations that focus on improving student learning and achievement.' While there have been several outstanding studies released recently, overall there has been a notable fall-off in research on charter schooling in the past few years. We trust that this new support will foster a new round of rigorous, high-quality studies, especially in states that have large charter populations but little current research of value.
Public charter schools have earned widespread bi-partisan support as a result of their success, and consequently we hope that Congress will join with President Obama in supporting this enhanced level of funding."
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. Currently, more than 1.4 million students attend 4,600 public charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Over 1,000 schools have opened in the past three years.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
5 Stars—where it counts
What do parents have to say about St. Louis Charter Schools? Here’s some five-star reviews:
"My children transferred here from STL Public Schools. This is the best school! The teachers and administrators are all very positive and caring to the kids and also to the parents. My children LOVE this school and their teachers! It's SO much better than where they were. My kids are thriving here and I am so grateful that I heard about it."
“My daughter has attended this school since 2003 and it is a wonderful school!”
What about the currently unaccredited St. Louis Public School District schools? Here is a one star-review from a Mann Elementary School parent:
“I was warned about city public schools and so far Mann has lived up to almost everywhere predicted nightmare. My kids are constantly harassed, beat up, chased home; the school bus comes some days and some days it does not; the days it comes, it comes late. Despite meetings with the principal and parent liaison, these issues have not been resolved. My special needs daughter has been left outside unsupervised, glasses broken, coat lost or stolen at school. I'm at my wits' end as to know what to do next. I'm so disgusted with the way they've been mishandled that when winter break is over, I hope to have them transferred to a new school because it does not seem as if this solution can be resolved. I feel like I'm being blown off to a certain extent because I'm up to the school so much. What to do?”
Though the statics tell the same story, it is important to remember what is really at stake with school choice reform.
Check out how your school rates:
GreatSchools.net
AND
SchoolMatters.com
"My children transferred here from STL Public Schools. This is the best school! The teachers and administrators are all very positive and caring to the kids and also to the parents. My children LOVE this school and their teachers! It's SO much better than where they were. My kids are thriving here and I am so grateful that I heard about it."
“My daughter has attended this school since 2003 and it is a wonderful school!”
What about the currently unaccredited St. Louis Public School District schools? Here is a one star-review from a Mann Elementary School parent:
“I was warned about city public schools and so far Mann has lived up to almost everywhere predicted nightmare. My kids are constantly harassed, beat up, chased home; the school bus comes some days and some days it does not; the days it comes, it comes late. Despite meetings with the principal and parent liaison, these issues have not been resolved. My special needs daughter has been left outside unsupervised, glasses broken, coat lost or stolen at school. I'm at my wits' end as to know what to do next. I'm so disgusted with the way they've been mishandled that when winter break is over, I hope to have them transferred to a new school because it does not seem as if this solution can be resolved. I feel like I'm being blown off to a certain extent because I'm up to the school so much. What to do?”
Though the statics tell the same story, it is important to remember what is really at stake with school choice reform.
Check out how your school rates:
GreatSchools.net
AND
SchoolMatters.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Missouri School Board Censors Spending from the Public
The Columbia Daily Tribune reported an attempt of the Missouri School Board to keep spending answers from the public.
It is a right entitled by every taxpayer to know how education money is being used. Any questions from anyone should be able to be addressed at any time (especially at the Missouri School Boards' Association's annual forum!).
The command for vague answers and avoidance only makes it seem that they have something to hide when it comes to spending.
As a public institution, it is even in their job description to keep the public informed. Especially when it comes to the sensitive issue of money, and especially in these poor economic times. More importantly, many schools across the state continually fail to meet acceptable standards, despite any funding increase. So if it is not helping to educate our children, then where is the money going?
This is a very serious and disturbing issue of transparency and openness, which can only lead to increasing distrust. Schools need accountability in all aspects, especially in spending.
It is a right entitled by every taxpayer to know how education money is being used. Any questions from anyone should be able to be addressed at any time (especially at the Missouri School Boards' Association's annual forum!).
The command for vague answers and avoidance only makes it seem that they have something to hide when it comes to spending.
As a public institution, it is even in their job description to keep the public informed. Especially when it comes to the sensitive issue of money, and especially in these poor economic times. More importantly, many schools across the state continually fail to meet acceptable standards, despite any funding increase. So if it is not helping to educate our children, then where is the money going?
This is a very serious and disturbing issue of transparency and openness, which can only lead to increasing distrust. Schools need accountability in all aspects, especially in spending.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
St. Louis will NOT stand for current SLPS deed restriction
The outrage at the ridiculous St. Louis Public School deed restriction policy continues to grow.
Coverage from the River Front Times
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story
Jefferson City and school board members are going to HAVE to face this absurd policy. The St. Louis community is refusing to accept the teacher union's selfish lack of concern for our children. Charter schools offer the proper education our children need and the abandon old school buildings offer the ideal space.
Coverage from the River Front Times
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story
Jefferson City and school board members are going to HAVE to face this absurd policy. The St. Louis community is refusing to accept the teacher union's selfish lack of concern for our children. Charter schools offer the proper education our children need and the abandon old school buildings offer the ideal space.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
