Editorial: Achievement gap is challenge in St. Paul

Since the hiring of Superintendent Meria Carstarphen last year, the St. Paul public schools have led the passage of a $30 million referendum, developed an aggressive new strategic plan and improved support for non-English speaking students.

At the same time, the district, with more than 40,000 students, continues to struggle with an achievement gap. Only 36 percent of its black students, for example, were deemed proficient in reading this year on statewide tests, compared with 76 percent of white students. Of the city's 84 schools and programs, only 22 made adequate yearly progress as measured by federally mandated No Child Left Behind criteria.

Facing those and other challenging issues, school board members must understand their roles as policymakers, communicate well with constituents and take seriously the goal of improving student achievement. On Nov. 6, eight candidates who want to take on those challenges are competing to fill four board seats. Best suited for the job are incumbents Anne Carroll, Tom Conlon and Kazoua Kong-Thao, and newcomer Keith Hardy. Though the race is nonpartisan, Conlon has the Republican endorsement and the other three choices are supported by the DFL.

Open seat

One seat is open because long-time incumbent Al Oertwig resigned earlier this year. Both Hardy, 44, and fellow DFL endorsee, Kevin Riach, 34, are new to elective politics and are enthusiastic campaigners. Hardy is an IT trainer for Target and served as chair of the district's citizens budget committee. He also has experience on several social service boards and with youth organizations. His priorities include increasing enrollment, improving staff development and eradicating the achievement gap.

Riach is an energetic former public school teacher who is now attending law school. He too has ideas about closing the achievement gap, which he calls a moral and economic imperative. We give the edge to the more seasoned Hardy because of his experience on governing boards and with youth groups and district budget matters.

Incumbents

Carroll, 52, is a self-employed communication consultant seeking a third term. She is knowledgeable and articulate and makes a strong case for raising standards and expectations, proper school funding, measuring student achievement and reporting to the public.

If reelected, Conlon, 47, would serve a fifth term and become the longest serving board member. He brings important institutional memory to board discussions and consistently raises questions about district spending. Though we part ways with him on some matters, he has grown into a more collaborative board member who, as the lone Republican, works well with his DFL colleagues.

Seeking a second term is Kong-Thao, 38, a graduate student and Bush fellow, on leave from her job as an equal opportunity consultant for the state. Kong-Thao grew up in a Hmong refugee family, attended St. Paul schools and currently has four children in city schools. Vice president of the board, she has been an important voice for inclusion, fairness and equity in district policies.

Challengers

Jennette Gudgel, 72, and David Peterson, 59, have the Republican endorsement. Gudgel is a consultant and retired college professor and Girl Scouts executive. Peterson retired last year after a 34-year management career with a print and communications business. Both are able and willing to learn, but neither has the necessary familiarity with school issues.

Bernard Ruppert, 62, is a student seeking a second degree and a former state security employee who describes himself as a "true nonpartisan" because did not seek party endorsement. He's not well-equipped for board service.