A Special 3 Part Series: Part 2 of 3 | Part 1
Disclaimer: This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team of the St. Louis ARGUS, nor does it constitute an endorsement of any beliefs or present as factual evidence of wrongdoing.
The creation of a biased School Navigation Tool and its implications for “partnering” with local school districts.
In a recent press release, Gloria Evans Nolan made a call to action to citizens and employees of the SLPS.
The ongoing debate over the privatization of St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) funding has reached a critical turning point, with growing concerns about the creation of a biased School Navigation Tool and its implications for partnerships with local school districts. Critics argue that such tools, like “Navigate St. Louis Schools,” which claim to assist families in school comparisons, are strategically designed to steer students toward charter schools, undermining public education.
At the center of this controversy is the role of organizations like Opportunity Trust, whose initiatives and funding priorities have drawn attention for promoting charter school expansion. Public education advocate Gloria Evans Nolan has called for decisive action from the community and leaders to address these challenges and safeguard the future of democratically run public schools in St. Louis.
What follows is Part Two of our story examining what steps Nolan considers to be necessary to address issues facing the SLPS:
Create a Biased School Navigation Tool
NAVIGATE ST. LOUIS SCHOOLS: “Our school comparison tool is designed to help you understand the options available to you even if you have a pretty good idea of where your student is attending school.
“You can search by school type, safety and climate, education focus and more. Getting a feel for the range of programs that are available will ensure you’ve made a sound decision.”
TRANSLATION: Push for a common enrollment system that includes all traditional and charter schools to steer students to their schools.
Anna-Stacia Allen — $94,849 (Launched 2020)
Board Members:
• Mia Henderson
• Danny Lewin
• Courtney Belfor
• Chris Geden
• Mike Willis
• Mouna Apperson
• Josh Johnson
• Renee Racette
• Sam Smith
• Former Board Member
Gloria Nolan
(Resigned 2021)
Location: DELMAR DIVINE
Former Board Member Gloria Nolan – Resigned 2021
“Partner” with Local School Districts
Democratically Run Public School
NORMANDY SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE
$350,000.00
UNIVERSITY CITY: A Democratically Run Public School District
(Budget — $805,000.00)
ATLAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A Charter School District
(Budget: $983,578.00)
BELIEVE STL ACADEMY
A Charter School
(Budget $254,992.00)
CITY GARDEN MONTESSORI
A Charter School
(Budget $1,324,813.00)
GATEWAY SCIENCE ACADEMY
A Public School
(Budget $34,550.00)
HAWTHORNE LEADERSHIP SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
A Private Academy
(Budget $231,000)
KAIROS ACADEMIES
A Charter School
(Budget $1,228,902.00)
Charter School
KIPP ST. LOUIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$1,070,000.00
Charter School
LAFAYETTE PREPARATORY ACADEMY STL
$17,500.00
The situation highlights a broader national trend of privatizing education and the delicate balance between fostering innovation and maintaining robust, equitable public education systems. Stay tuned for our upcoming article where we’ll unpack the intricacies of funding “Parent Advocacy” organizations and supporting pro-privatization school board candidates. These topics play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education, and understanding their impact is critical. Don’t miss this deep-dive into the strategies and implications driving these initiatives.
About Gloria Evans Nolan
Gloria Evans Nolan is a parent and public education advocate in St. Louis, Missouri. When she was six years old, her mother was sent to prison, and Gloria and her brother ended up in foster care. She credits two special teachers, Mrs. Blaine and Mrs. Cowley, for nurturing her and sparking a love of learning. The parent of two children in the St. Louis Public Schools, Gloria is a passionate advocate for her hometown and its schools, encouraging her friends and neighbors to “build up what we know is being threatened to be burned down.”
#StLouisEducation #CharterDebate #PublicSchool
