St. Louis ban for sex shops, liquor stores--and Charter Schools (from buying closed school buildings

[The Straight Story]

St. Louis ban for sex shops, liquor stores--and Charter Schools

by Karin Piper, Colorado Charter Schools Examiner

ST. LOUIS — When leaders of the St. Louis Public Schools prepared to sell a slew of old school buildings a year ago, they moved to ban a few businesses from buying. They barred liquor stores, landfills, distilleries, as well as shops that sell "so-called 'sexual toys.'"

They also blackballed charter schools.

Now, as the school board debates closing as many as 29 more buildings in the shrinking city district, and as new charter schools search desperately for space, a swell of anger is rising up against that restriction.

Charter school opponents have long thrown around the term of "creaming" in regards to high performing charter schools and population of bright young students. The phrase refers to the attraction between academically rigorous charter schools and the families that seek them. Since charter schools are public schools and must follow anti-discrimination laws, the notion of hand picking students is fairly ridiculous.

But there is truth that charter schools can be an attraction for families that seek accelerated academics for their children. Charters also make significant contributions to inner city neighborhoods in helping kids get college ready.

So will running the families who seek public school choice out of town improve academic performances by the rest of the St. Louis Public School District? Or just scare away families who are active contributors to its schools?

http://www.examiner.com/x-2157-Colorado-Charter-Schools-Examiner~y2009m2d11-St-Lois-ban-for-sex-shops-liquor-storesand-Charter-Schools

[ixion]

1. St. Louis sucks, IMO

it's a dirty, unpleasant, law-happy city.

My apologies to anyone who lives there.

[rwheeler31]

3. What are you talking about? We have been to Saint Louis

many times and always had a great experience.

[ixion]

4. I guess perception is everything then

because every time I've been to St. Louis I couldn't wait to get the hell away from there.

[sandnsea]

2. Karen Piper, blogger

"Karin is a charter school parent whose blogs on “charter mythology” have been featured in various Charter Advocacy Network publications through the Colorado League of Charter Schools."

Just so people know who wrote the piece.

When charter schools really have to take every student in their district, and really have to meet every standard of a public school, then there will be a fair comparison.