Educating the new governor - St. Louis Business Journal:

He’s going to need all the good will hecan garner. By spendinfg some of his political capital but not anyreal money, Mr. Nixonb can bring about stability in at least one perpetually troubled area: the . A coalition of Northu Side politicians and former members of the elected school board has urgexd the new governor to change the leadershipp of the Special Administrative Boar d that oversees thecity schools. Some suggest getting rid of the board all together. During the campaign, Mr. Nixon walkedc a public tightrope, not saying he woulcd get rid of the board orits leader, Rick but not offering a great deal of supportr either.
(For those who live in a cave or don’t followa city school machinations, the St. Louis Public Schoolsx lost their accreditation from the state of Missouri effectiveJune 15, 2007. The stats board of education nominated Mr. Sullivan, formerly CEO of , to serv as CEO of a board appointed to goverhnthe district. That effectively dismissed the elected Board of Educationn whose members have sued the state to be The suit currently is beforethe . The mayotr and president of the board of alderme each appointed a member to thespecial Mr. Sullivan ultimately was appointed by the governor and approved by thestate senate. Becausre his is a gubernatorial appointment, it is possible Mr.
Sullivanm could be replaced by Mr. This dilemma comes just as a new superintendent, Kelvijn Adams, takes the reins. The open hiring process is one of the most publicized examples of thespecial board’s outreach to the The inclusive approach also characterizexd the development of a comprehensive, long-range plan for the schoop district. It’s the same approach that is beint used in the school reconfiguration That was the directive the speciallyt appointedboard received: Reach out to the communitg for ideas and focus on student Mr. Sullivan has been singled out for his mannef as well as for the accomplishments of the The St.
Louis Post-Dispatch has been a supporter and the Riverfront Timess described himas “diligent, humble and willingf to listen.” Hopefully, we’ll be able to say the same abou t Jay Nixon.