Bourisaw: charters promise, district delivers

Mayor Francis Slay may believe in the potential of charter schools, but SLPS Superintendent Diana Bourisaw says the facts don't bear out his confidence.

“We do not need additional low-performing charter schools in St. Louis,” said Superintendent Diana Bourisaw in a press release.  “Instead, we need to work together as a community to continue the improvements that are already underway in the St. Louis Public Schools.”

Bourisaw's statement landed on the Mayor's desk a day after his trip to Jefferson City where he spoke before the State Senate Education Committee asking their support for a pro-charter bill. The bill, sponsored by State Senator Jeff Smith (D-St. Louis), would give the mayor the ability to sponsor more charter schools.

Bourisaw said that, based on Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores, the city public schools have outperformed the existing charter schools.

For more detailed information visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's School Data page.

On his blog, Slay said that the city has run out of willing sponsors for more charter schools, thus the legislation is needed so that his office can sponsor new charters. Slay also laid out other reasons for his support.

Third, the taxpayers in the State of Missouri and City of St. Louis have spent billions of dollars on public education in St. Louis. We have received very little value for our money. I do not think that is right. Good charter schools, which are public schools supported by taxpayers, will offer more value right away.

“We are already a district of choice,” said Bourisaw.  “We have over 5,000 students who currently attend charter schools.  Unfortunately, those students are not performing at the level of our SLPS students.  In addition, 8,000 SLPS students attend county schools, and 9,000 are enrolled in our popular magnet programs.” 

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