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Elliott_Davis's Blog

by Elliott_Davis from St. Louis

Last Post 23 hours Ago


School Districts
Jun 25, 2008 | 2:40 PM
Category: News
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I often find myself doing a lot of stories about school districts wasting money. Whether from Wentzville to East St. Louis it seems many districts often dole out dollars with no clear forethought in mind.  Oten they don't have a measureable system to evaluate results.  Often it seems decision are made by how the board feels at the time..It's the old "That sounds good" logic.  That's the challenge of a citizens board. I'm all in favor of having citizens run the school board. I just wish that when they get on the board they'd spend our money the way they spend their own..Right now there are a couple of districts I'm focused on with stories coming up in July.. They are stories that will leave you scratching your head.

   It's always amazing to question them about their decisions and see that deer in the head-lights look..but still having to say something..

  Our most notable stories are those done in Wentzville, Wellston, and Venice.

They called out the police on YOu Paid For It in Wellston and Venice..but in the end both districts were dissolved.  Nothing nearly so dramatic in Wentzville..But i've run into quite a few colorful characters there,,,

The one thing I can say. Districts are never dull.

 

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Member Comments Total Comments: 11
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mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Jun 25, 2008 | 5:00 PM

School districts.....???? Too general of a term Elliot....... Yes there are corrupt individuals that misuse and abuse the system but to blame the entire district is wrong.... Remove the disease and the rest of the body will go back to functioning normally......
Patch_W_Adams read my blog
Jun 25, 2008 | 5:56 PM

The Problem is Elliot they do spend it like their spend their own. People today lack Priorities and Common Sense. If they can't run their own lives and expect the Government to do it all for them, how can they run a School?
Speedy62269 read my blog
Jun 25, 2008 | 10:04 PM

School districts have too high of a tax rate (62% of property tax bills in St. Clair Co IL) and too much revenue coming in. When you have too much revenue and a lack of fiscal responsibility and knowledge - you get WASTE!

Elliott: I'll send you an email for a district to thoroughly investigate. Check it tomorrow.
dannbetty read my blog view my photos
Jun 26, 2008 | 8:46 AM

Keep on them Elliot, follow the money and do the story. You are good at it.
PS. We met when you did the Farm Apartments story in the 90's.
fbca7 read my blog
Jun 26, 2008 | 10:27 AM

Hammer them. Most Boards of most districts just need to get real. You live on the tax dollars you get..period. If that means cuts to non-educational programs...so be it. I'm tired of my taxes creeping up each year without a vote. Make them accountable Elliot!
derotts3 read my blog view my photos
Jun 26, 2008 | 6:25 PM

I'm glad your on our SIDE!!! I enjoy reading your reports.
HOPEFORSTL read my blog view my photos
Jun 26, 2008 | 11:15 PM

ooo the SLPS have quite a reputation......what happened to them.???..how and why did we let this happen? we are hurting so badly for THIS reason....if the schools here were excellent(and no other grade should there be) we would have young people,families living here...instead they move out as soon and the kids are old enough to go to school...
bonneterredaddy
Jun 27, 2008 | 1:33 AM

what happend back when they aloud the casino's to build her and so much was going to improve the schools that was the states big selling point but since so many schools are in bad shape and closing? what or where is all that money going?
Elliott_Davis read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 10:42 PM

I agree "HOPEFORSTL. City leaders often focus on things like forcing workers to live in the city to keep their city jobs rather than making the school system better.
That's why I support letting government workers including Police live where they want. Supposed St. Louis County, and St. Charles, and St. Clair and other metro east communities did that. How many city residents would be out of work.
Make people want to live in your city by improving the schools. I don't think officials are up to that task and often take an easier way out..which in the end accomplishes nothing at all. but a waste of money.
But I guess that's why You Paid For It is still in business.
Elliott_Davis read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 10:43 PM

By the way Dannbetty I remember the Farm story..That was one of You Paid For It's first big expose's that got results..
idisco
Aug 19, 2008 | 7:22 PM

Why do Parents pay for Early Childcare education for the "Public School" Danforth Elementay in the Riverview School District?
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Elliott_Davis

I'm a reporter at Fox 2 News, specializing in investigative journalism with the 'You Paid For It segment'. I'm also a weekend anchor and reporter. I'm a St. Louis native, graduate of Vashon High School, Cornell University, and the father of a teenage daughter. I enjoy reading, chess, and exposing public officials wasting your money.

Member Since: 9/13/2006


 

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