A new Hamilton School Committee has been formed to deal with some of the problems confronting the school and to work with education committee of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, Inc.
The purpose of the committee is to investigate the educational problems of Hamilton School and to present this information in a clear and concise report to the SDCC education committee so that through concerted community action some of the problems of the school can be solved.
Committee members are: Sister Virginia Williams, Mrs. Alma M. Rowell, Mr. Bob Moore, Mrs. Florence Harris and Mr. Rick Bender.
The investigation to date has dealt primarily with the misinformation, such as the overcrowding, the bussing of students and the rulings on the school zoning system, circulating in the community. The committee met with Mr. Charles Brasfield, superintendent of the Northwest-Soldan district, in the second week of November in his office at 5875 Delmar. During this meeting Mr. Brasfield explained to the committee members the cause and effect of an overcrowded school such as Hamilton. Another meeting was scheduled for the first week in December, and at this meeting Mr. Brasfield presented to the Hamilton School Committee some of the facts and figures concerning not only Hamilton School, but also the entire Northwest-Soldan district.
Mr. Clyde Miller, the acting Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools, also talked with the Hamilton School Committee. He discussed with the committee the problems of Hamilton School in relation to the entire public schools system. He mentioned such problems as overcrowding, bussing, the lack of neighborhood interest and support of schools and the decreased enrollment in public schools in some areas of the city. This results in the cutting of federal and state aid to the school affected which results in a decrease in the teaching staff, the halt of experimental classes for the development of new teaching and learning methods and a general downgrading of the quality of education in public schools.
Both Mr. Brasfield and Mr. Miller expressed their desire to meet with concerned citizens of this community to answer questions and to discuss the many problems of education. They, along with the Hamilton School Committee, feel that communication is the airing of grievances and opinions — an exchange of ideas — and they are more than willing to share this experience with the community.
The Hamilton School Committee has stated that when they have arranged a meeting or a series of meeting for this purpose, the date and place will be announced to the community.
Originally published in The Paper, February 1971.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1971_02.pdf, printed page 3.
