Michael Podgursky in the NY Times

Missouri economist Michael Podgursky, who focuses his studies on teachers, was cited in the New York Time article.

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Sinquefield Sues to End Deed Restriction

Education advocate Rex Sinquefield sued the St. Louis Public school district to end the ridiculous deed restriction policy. It is inspiring for our community and our children to see passionate leaders actively giving a voice and standing up to the absurd policies the SLPS wanted to keep hidden. Preventing charter schools to start and flourish is putting a monopoly on education in this city.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Coverage

Education Issues go Beyond Party Lines

An standing-ovation goes to those bravely crossing party lines to fight bi-partisanly for our children and their education. Democratic Senator Jeff Smith had been fighting (despite point-blank threats from his own party and the teacher unions) for merit pay and open enrollment in St. Louis schools. (Open enrollment means allowing students to move from one public school district to another.)

There are "some wonderful teachers trying to effect change," Smith said. "Unfortunately, I also met people who were just punching the clock toward retirement. The quality was uneven. The systems didn't work. It made me want to do something different."

For years, legislative efforts to reform public school districts in Missouri have stalled, despite the unfortunate trends in school statistics--specifically in urban areas. It is going to take more bold leaders, like Senator Smith, to make real progress.

"I don't think we can afford to be consumed by ideology," he says. "I think we need to find out what works and do it."

For more on the story, check out this article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Open Enrollment Bill

Obama on Education: Charter Schools & Merit Pay

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story

President Obama urged for sweeping changes in his first education speech on Tuesday.

"I call on states to reform their charter rules, and lift caps on the number of allowable charter schools, wherever such caps are in place."

Missouri law currently limits their locations to only St. Louis and Kansas City. Furthermore, he said recently in his budget message that he hoped to double financing for charter schools eventually, and that the Department of Education would help create "new, high-quality charter schools" while supporting the closing of those guilty of "chronic underperformance."

He also called for merit pay.

"Good teachers will be rewarded with more money for improved student achievement, and asked to accept more responsibilities for lifting up their schools...treating teachers like the professionals they are, while also holding them more accountable."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story

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.

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.

"School buildings belong to the community."

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated in an interview with the Washington Post:

"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.