Harris-Stowe appoints new president Dwaun J. Warmack was senior VP at Bethune-Cookman
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited APRIL 24 – 30, 2014
stlamerican.com
Vol. 85 No. 3 COMPLIMENTARY
A conversation with Chris Nicastro Education commissioner talks about Missouri’s crisis in public education n “We need a transfer tuition fix, but it’s clear we are not going to get a tuition fix by itself. The key is what else comes with that.”
By Chris King Of The St. Louis American As the Missouri Legislature went into its final debates over an omnibus education bill that could make – or break – public education in Missouri, The American discussed the crisis in public education with Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro. At this precarious and uncertain moment, Nicastro spoke to us about St. Louis Public Schools being reauthorized as a transitional district, the school transfer crisis, tuition vouchers for faith-based schools, and whether public education in Missouri is headed for a
– Chris Nicastro
“Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” doomsday scenario. The St. Louis American: The state school board just authorized St. Louis Public Schools to continue for two more years as a transitional district and it was barely treated as news in St. Louis. Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro: If people had perceived it as a bad thing, it would have been news. I know the elected board would like the district to go back under their authority. I have had, and
we continue to have, conversations with the elected board. The fact that they have stayed together and remained engaged is commendable. Having said that, most of us are of the mind that the Special Administrative Board has established good stability in the district. While we are all disappointed with the pace of academic performance improvement, generally people are satisfied with fiscal management and oversight of the district. Kelvin Adams would be the first to tell you they still have a long way to go, and
See NICASTRO, A6
Making diversity mean something MOKAN convenes minority business symposium May 9 By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American St. Louis’ government and corporate leaders often pay lip service to the importance of diversity and inclusion. But when the deal’s on the table, do they follow through? In the past few years, the minority business community has had plenty of reasons to wonder. In 2012, the city government’s St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) allowed Ballpark Village developers – who are benefitting from city tax dollars – to build about $23 million in retail construction without n “There is monitoring how many at least a minority businesses and conversation workers were working on the site. SLDC about made this deal despite diversity. St. Louis city’s laws Now, let’s that enforce minority have that inclusion on taxpayertalk mean backed projects. In fall 2012, something.” minority business leaders fought – Yaphett CORTEX to make sure El-Amin minority participation requirements were a part of the bioresearch park’s $168 million taxincentive package. After minority business advocates refused to back down in 2011, the Metropolitan Sewer District adopted interim inclusion goals before embarking on $4.7 billion in reconstruction in 2012. “What I see happening now – there is at least a conversation about diversity,” said
See MOKAN, A7
Photo by Wiley Price
Malik Manneh, 9, builds a 3-D model house in art class at City Academy, 4175 N. Kingshighway Blvd., part of the independent private school’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) program.
City Academy celebrates 15 years By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American City Academy in North St. Louis city is celebrating 15 years of providing families in underserved communities with access to a quality early education. “We created something really unique and special where students leave ready for new challenges,” said Don Danforth III, president and co-founder of City Academy. City Academy was founded in 1999 with only 42 students schooled within the MathewsDickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Danforth, along with co-founder Duncan Marshall, set out to
n “Because the class sizes are so small, they’re able to focus on each child’s weaknesses and strengths.” – Kathleen Hall, on City Academy
create a “top-flight” school, Danforth said, that was equal to any school. The school currently serves 165 students age three through sixth grade in its 40,000 sq. foot stand-alone facility at 4175 N. Kingshighway Blvd., across the street from the club. The
Danforth: ‘students leave ready for new challenges’ school’s 10th class of sixth graders will graduate next month, and next year the oldest class of graduates will be seniors in college. City Academy is a private school accredited by the Independent Schools Association of Central States, with 100 percent of families qualifying for financial assistance and tuition. And 56 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. City Academy serves families from across the metro area, and 90 percent of its families live in communities served by underperforming or unaccredited schools.
See ACADEMY, A7