Historical Summer 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
SDCC Board Meeting, March 14, 2011 The meeting was called to order by President Katrina Stierholz at 7:02 PM. Financials: Statement of Financial Position as of February 28, 2011 and Statement of Activities, January – February, 2011 were presented and discussed. Cash Balances as of February 28, 2011 were as follows: Operations Account $17,670 WEAC Account $8,512 Brick Account $2,276 Playground Account $4,852 Total $33,311 Invoices totaling $22,500 have been sent to Institutional Members for their 2011 membership dues. Alice Stanley made a motion to accept the financial report, John Powell seconded, and the motion carried. City Earnings Tax: Hon. Francis Slay, Mayor, discussed Proposition E (City Earnings Tax) which is on the April 5th ballot. Proposition A passed statewide in January causing St. Louis and Kansas City to vote to retain or eliminate the tax.
However, only 32% of St. Louis voters voted for Proposition A in Jan.
The 1% St. Louis Earnings Tax generates $140M annually, or 30% of the City’s operating budget.
If the vote is to eliminate the City Earnings Tax, it would be phased out at 10% per year over 10 years starting 2012.
The City has closed a $40M budget gap for the current fiscal year and the mayor has agreed to meet with business leaders to investigate other revenue options. St. Louis Public Schools Update: Blake Youde, Deputy Superintendent, gave a report on the status of the St. Louis Public Schools. Proposition S, a $150M bond issue, was approved last summer; bonds have been sold and design is underway. Improvements include science labs for high schools and playgrounds for elementary schools – including playscapes for Hamilton School.
The Special Administrative Board and Superintendent Adams’s contract have been extended for three years.
The SLPS district is in a balanced budget mode and is paying down the debt. Academics – the district has seen improvement in all categories except 3rd grade Communication Arts. Early Childhood Education – there is a waiting list and the district will add 25 additional classrooms next year. High Schools – only Roosevelt, Vashon, Sumner and Beaumont remain as “comprehensive’ schools – the other 10 are magnet schools and have higher test scores. 8th graders are now able to select the comprehensive high school of their choice.
The District is also considering charter schools and gender specific schools at the elementary and middle school level.
Finally, the District is doing a comprehensive evaluation of all vacant and underutilized school properties and anticipates a decision in the next six months regarding the use or disposition of these. Executive Director’s Report: Jackie Nolan started March 1 as the part-time AdministrativeCommunications Coordinator. David and Jackie have been consolidating, culling and organizing the paper files; and Marvin Nodiff will provide SDCC with an outline for a retention policy. Jackie has established an SDCC Facebook page and a public (Gmail) calendar, is building a contacts database, and is tracking donations to the Friends Campaign. SDCC was selected by GO! St. Louis as 1 of 5 neighborhoods to relieve $1000 for fielding a cheering section for the April 10 St. Louis Marathon. Jennifer Olmsted will organize the event.
The Community with the best cheering section (as voted on by race participants) will receive an additional $1000.
A Block Captains meeting will be scheduled in the near future to update block captains on resources available to them, organize for Blitz Day, and discuss Neighborhood Watch training. Electronics Recycling Fair and Planting Day are scheduled for May 14.
The Executive Director’s report is attached. Nomination of Board Members: Karin Hagaman introduced Jon Tiede and nominated him to serve as an at-large member of the board. Dan Hudspeth seconded the motion, the motion carried, and Jon was seated as a board member. Community Reports: Skinker DeBaliviere Community Housing Corporation: Gary Boehnke confirmed that SDCHC has acquired 6188 Westminster with plans to renovate the property. Committee Reports: Fundraising Committee: Friends Campaign contributions total $5790 as of March 14.
The Fundraising Committee is seeking a volunteer to chair Dine Out for Skinker DeBaliviere scheduled for June 21. Beautification Committee: Andy Cross reported that both community gardens are up and running West End Arts Council: Andy Cross reported that planning has begun for the concert series. Corporate Compliance: David Whiteman will meet with Paul Hales to review by-laws and other compliance issues. Aldermanic Reports: Dotti Pennington, 28th Ward NSO, reminded everyone about Blitz Day scheduled for April 2 – with bulk item pick-up on Monday April 4. New Business: Norbert Hart asked if the Transportation Committee should be reconstituted.
This issue was tabled and will be taken up by the Executive Committee.
The April Board meeting will be held on Monday, April 11.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2011.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Referenced Executive Director report attachment not printed; no missing attachment invented.
Original source: SD_Times2011_05.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
