From the Desk of…
Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent
Special Administrative Board
Today the special administrative board assumed its role with
St. Louis Public Schools. The state-appointed panel held its
first meeting this morning at the St. Louis Science Center.
The three members introduced themselves to the community. They
are Rick Sullivan, Richard Gaines, and Melanie Adams.
The administrative board members said that they were looking
forward to working with teachers and staff as we move forward
with our education initiatives.
SLPS staff and community members will have another opportunity
to meet the administrative board members on Tuesday, June 19,
at 5:30 p.m. The board is holding a public meeting in an effort
to reach out to the community (including district employees,
parents, students, and community leaders). Mr. Sullivan said
that community input was important as we all move forward.
Tuesday’s meeting will also be held at the Science Center.
In the meantime, staff is encouraged to visit a new website
set up by the special administrative board: www.sab-stl.com.
Superintendent’s Report
At today’s meeting, we reported that:
• Nearly 15,000 students are enrolled in summer school,
with many students coming from other districts and charter
schools.
• Our high schools are candidates for North Central
Association accreditation (with the exception of those high
schools that are already accredited).
• SLPS is expanding its early childhood education initiative.
• The gifted program at McKinley is targeted for expansion.
• The district’s virtual school has been approved.
• A lab school/academy is being established at Henry
Elementary, enhancing learning opportunities for students.
• The district’s ESOL program continues to expand.
• SLPS has selected principals for the three alternative
schools (elementary, middle, and high school) that will open
this fall. These will be our “Big Picture” schools.
(For more information about the Big Picture program, visit
www.bigpicture.org.)
Our elected board still maintains a role in the school district.
The elected board has scheduled an executive session for Tuesday,
June 19, at 9 a.m. at the administration building.
In this time of change, I am often asked about my future with
the district. The answer is simple. I am here for the children
in the St. Louis Public School system. We owe our students
stability.
I am proud of this team. My goal is to continue to work collaboratively
with all of our owners – teachers, staff, parents, students,
community members, and board members. Fostering academic success
for all our students remains our first priority.
The only thing we know about the future is that it will be
different.
Peter F. Drucker
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