Forge a Stronger Relationship with SLPS!

It is well documented that the quality of a city's public school system determines the quality of the city at large. As a result, the City of St. Louis can never thrive if it does not adequately educate it's citizens. For as long as I can remember, the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) system has functioned largely independent of the City of St. Louis. Yet, ongoing, self-inflicted wounds to the operation and reputation of SLPS have undeniably impacted the quality of life of ALL City residents, in the form of increased insurance costs, crime, decreased population, etc. Thus, I propose that City officials create the foundation for a system that gives the City of St. Louis (and by default, it's residents) more input into SLPS operations. We are in a crisis, and as such, we can not leave the governance of our public school system to a few untrustworthy individuals who often have few toes to our city. To put things in perspective, I was recently informed that there are SLPS teachers who, despite working 11 hours days educating our youth before, during and after school hours, HAVE NOT BEEN PAID FOR HOURS THAT THEY HAVE WORKED. They are exasperated with the Board and frustrated with the teachers union -- both of whom the teachers feel routinely ignore their desires. What happens if/when these educators get fed up enough to walk out?? St. Louis will have yet *another* crisis to tend to. For this reason, I implore City officials to start the process of developing a relationship with SLPS that gives the City more control over SLPS. Either way, we all pay the price for SLPS injustice and dysfunction.✨