Tag: Antoinette Cousins

Emily Hubbard’s letter on SLPS “board leadership”

St. Louis Board of Education, photos of members with St. Louis Public Schools logo, from SLPS website

I have added a graphic with link to Board of Education webpage but have not altered the letter in any way.

A letter to St. Louis:

With no joy and much trepidation, I must speak out about the state of the Board of Education.

I expressed into the public record when I ran for board president in April the notion that “board leadership” was a concept outside of our bylaws, which state that the board only has power when the full board is officially and legally meeting, etc., etc. I have expressed this concern internally all last school year. Two board members cannot legally act as if they are the board or they are speaking for the board. No board member should be engaged in the work of administration, whether directly or indirectly. After at least a full school year of our current illegitimate structure of “board leadership,” our board is not aligned, does not have a shared moral objective, and the district is embarrassed and in disarray with an unknown (to me at least) number of district leadership changes in the three weeks leading up to the start of school on August 19.

For the sake of the children of this city, I am calling on President Antionette “Toni” Cousins and Vice President Matt Davis to resign not just their executive positions but their seats on the board. Their illegitimate, reactionary, over-reaching “leadership” of the district must end. The lies and coercion must end. What is wrong and is hidden must be exposed and made right.

I ran for school board with “leadership that empowers” as one of my key goals, and that has not changed. So even though this is deeply uncomfortable and scary and unpleasant, and I am concerned about potential retaliation beyond the verbal upbraiding and loss of committee seats I have already experienced, my conscience will no longer allow me to keep silent. When “unity” is employed to hide dysfunction, it becomes coercion

For a long time any criticism of Dr. Scarlett was squashed as well as framed as criticism of the board president, which was also unacceptable. Speaking specifically about the hiring of all her friends into district positions, we all had brief access to resumes before we voted to approve the hires brought before us, not to mention I believe they all had linkedin pages. If I recall correctly,, the votes were all unanimous. So we the board are responsible for those hires. We had the information to ask questions, to act, and chose not to pursue vigorous action. Given the previously mentioned reactions to questions and criticisms as well as the “board leadership” structure, I hope I may be forgiven for assuming that serious interrogation of those hires as they were presented to us would have negative consequences without a change in the results.

It is the gift and burden of the board to be ultimately responsible for the work of the district. As I strive to bear that responsibility, I must reckon with the ways in which I have failed to act in the most effective ways to achieve the best results for our children and our employees. I can no longer be silent. Today, that responsibility includes demanding the resignation of “board
leadership” as well asking the children of this city, their parents, and the taxpayers for forgiveness for my and our collective failures to do our best for the district. I promise I’ve tried, but I should’ve been able to do more.

But as I’ve called on Ms. Cousins and Mr. Davis to resign, and repented of my own failures, I must also call on all of us—the adults in this city—to repent. We have allowed this misappropriation of power to continue at the expense of our children and the employees who serve them. Every individual and entity in this city that has allowed Ms. Cousins and Mr. Davis to act outside of the authority given them by our own board bylaws should reckon with what their passivity has cost our city’s children. “Nobody wants to lose local control” necessitates everyone locally using what power and responsibility they have to hold us accountable, not to be silent in the face of dysfunction.

If they choose to remain on the board, I ask that everyone who interacts with them in the context of “board leadership” require them to point to a board discussion, board vote, or board policy that legitimates their authority to act or speak.

Thanks so much for your time. I’m sorry it took me so long to be brave.

Emily Hubbard

Aldergeddon: New 7th Ward

Map for New 7th Ward, St. Louis City

The new St. Louis City 7th Ward includes parts of current 6th, 9th, 15th, 17th Wards, and other Wards, and is the result of Census Redistricting and Ward Reduction.

All 14 New Ward Profiles here.

Candidate Forum: February 8, 2023 7th Ward Alder Candidate Forum (YouTube) sponsored by Rung for Women STL

Candidate Forum: Live Tweeting Thread by Chelsea Merta of February 8, 2023 7th Ward Candidate Forum

2023 Alder Primary Results

18+ Population: 16,671
Registered Voters: 13,918 (83.48% Registered)
Total Ballots Cast: 1,822 (13.09% Turnout)
Total Votes Cast for Alder candidates:  2,482 – In St. Louis City Municipal Primary Elections, voters may vote for as many candidates as they want with top two advancing to General Election.
Board President
Megan Green: 1,456
Alder Candidates
Cedric Redmon: 643
J.P. Mitchom: 731
Alisha Sonnier: 1,1108

2023 Alder General Election

7th Ward Alder Candidate Alisha Sonnier
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: mental health advocate at Cigna
Other Elected Office: Member of St. Louis School Board
2023 Alder Primary: 1st place of 3 candidate, 1,1108 Votes of 2,482
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $23,846 raised ($5,200 LIUNA, $2,600 developer Mayo Aiyelokum, $2,600 Carpenters, $1,000 IAFF 73, $1,000 developer Michael Schwartz, $1,000 David Roberts, $1,000 SEIU, $1,000 Pathways United, $800 Eighth Ward Independent Democratic Assn, $750 Pro Choice Mo, $500 Sheetmetal Workers, $250 Sierra Club, $250 Building Trades); $19.884 spent ($9,025.87 MO Political Consulting); $17,825.49 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report: $19,255 raised ($2,600 UNITE HERE, $1,000 Maxine Clark, $500 SEIU State, $500 SEIU Healthcare, $1,000 Laborers 42, $1,000 Laborers 110, $100 from the author of this blog); $10,513.79 spent ($5,197.87 MO Political Consulting); $13,863.78 on hand; $0 debt
January 2023 Report #2: $2,664 raised ($100 Alder Christine Ingrassia, $100 STL County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy), $6,546.55 spent ($6,335.52 to MO Political Consulting), $5,122.57 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report #1: $11,430 raised (donors included City Treasurer Adam Layne, 15th Ward Dem Committeewoman Karisa Gilman-Hernandez, Meramec Township Dem Committeeman Brian Wingbermuehle), $2,796.60 spent, $8,633.40 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Vanessa Carroll (6th Ward Committeewoman)

7th Ward Alder Candidate Jon-Pierre Mitchom
Neighborhood: Tiffany
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: director of Equity and Inclusion at STL Priory School
2023 Alder Primary: 2nd place of 3 candidates, 731 Votes of 2,482
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report Amended: added three donors including $2,600 from Phoebe Smith (wife of developer Steve Smith) and $2,500 from David Farr (former CEO Emerson Electric). New totals: $14,501.35 raised; $2,582.45 spent; $17,498.35 on hand; $0 debt
March 2023 Report: $8,901.35 raised ($4,001.35 attorney Jerry Schlichter, $2,600 GSL @ Metro Square- probably 21st Century St. Louis PAC/Civic Progress, $500 fmr Supply Commissioner Freddie Dunlap, $250 former Mayor Vince Schoemehl, $250 17th Ward Committeeman Bob Hilgemann); $2,582.45 spent ($102.25 MEC late fees, $3,826.45 Kelley Group/Show Me Victories); $11,898.35 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report: $6,562.0 raised ($1,500 The LOUPAC, $500 former 11th Ward Alder Matt Villa, $200 former 1st Ward Alder Irene Smith); $3,427.02 spent ($599 Inbound Blend Digital Marketing); $5,579.45 on hand; $0 debt
January 2023 Report #2: $1,150 raised, $2,349.91 spent, $2,444.47 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report #1: $5,318 raised (donors included former 17th Ward Alder Joe Roddy, former State Senator Jeff Smith), $1,673.62 spent, $3,644.38 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Kaishla Davie (owner of Kindness & Love LLC)

2023 Primary- Other Alder Candidates

7th Ward Alder Candidate Cedric “C-Sharp” Redmon
Neighborhood: Fox Park
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: musician, his Linkedin account says he is in Florissant
Other Elected Office: former candidate for 6th Ward Alder 2019
2023 Alder Primary: 3rd place of 3 candidates, 643 Votes of 2,482
Campaign Finance
Terminated committee 03/22/2023
February 2023 Report: $1,475 raised ($500 former 20th Ward Committeeman Dale Sweet); $1,112.99 spent; $1,698 on hand; $0 debt
January 2023 Report Amended: Herschel Cooper donated, not Herschel Walker
January 2023 Report: $2,900 raised (no employer/occupation info for any donors, $150 Herschel Walker of Dallas), $1,564.01 spent, $1,335.99 on hand, $100 debt
Treasurer: self/Cedric Redmon

2023 Running for School Board

2023 School Board Candidate Sadie Weiss
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: Yes, building is tax abated until 2025
Occupation: assistant director for Precollegiate Services, UMSL
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $1,445 raised ($2,000 AFT 420, $250 St. Louis City Labor Legislature Club, $100 Public School Advocates PAC); $1,939.53 spent; $2,553.04 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report Amended: same totals, something about ActBlue fees
February 2023 Report: $3,825 raised ($1,500 AFT 420); $877.43 spent; $2,947.57 on hand; $0 debt
Treasurer: Dorothy Rohde-Collins (former member of St. Louis City School Board)

Other Public Officials Residing In Ward

City Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: owner of Butler-Poole Logistics; owner of Digital Generation; owner of DiGen; owner of Open Concept bar; owner of Theta House bar; founder of administratively dissolved nonprofits 6th Ward PAC, St. Louis Leadership Foundation, People Powered; Democratic Action Network; Save St. Louis;
Party Office: former chair of Missouri Democratic Party; former St. Louis Democratic City Central Committee; former 6th Ward Committeeman
Other Elected Office: former State Rep
Notes: serves (with lobbyist Dave Sweeney) on Board of Communities First nonprofit founded by 3rd Ward Committeewoman Lucinda Frazier, Recorder Butler’s Chief Deputy Recorder
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report #2: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report #1: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: self/Michael Butler

School Board Member Alisha Sonnier
See 7th Ward Alder Candidate profile above

School Board Member Antionette “Toni” Cousins
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: community outreach manager at Missouri Housing Development Commission 
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
July 2022 Report: Limited Activity
April 2022 Report: $0 raised, $5 spent, $2,646.68 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Dionne Flowers (former 2nd Ward Alder; former City Register**

Accused rapist State Senator Steven Roberts
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: Yes
Occupation: attorney; Missouri Air National Guard JAG Corps
Other Elected Office: former State Rep
Genealogy: father is former Alder Steve Roberts (sponsor of Union Station development); mother is Dr. Eva Frazer M.D.; nephew of former Alder Mike Roberts
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: $6,550 raised ($1,500 from Humane Society of Mo), $13,116.01 spent, $9,245.42 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report Amended: $9,278 raised, $1,307.56 spent, $12,711.43 on hand, $20,000 debt
October 2022 Report: $8,278 raised, $1,307.56 spent, $11,711.43 on hand, $20,000 debt
July 2022 Report Amended #2: $2,285 raised, $31,250.22 spent (including $30,000 loan payment), $5,140.99 on hand, $20,000 on debt
July 2022 Report Amended #1: $1,885 raised, $31,250.22 spent (including $30,000 loan payment), $4,740.99 on hand, $20,000 debt
Treasurer: James Hill (former treasurer for Board President Lewis Reed)

State Rep. Peter Merideth
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: attorney at Dearing Batten & Bauer, previously at Husch Blackwell
Genealogy: brother David Merideth is former School Board candidate
Campaign Finance
December 2022 Report: $2,845 raised, $755.51 spent, $35,626.48 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report: $4,314.33 raised, $321.99 spent, $33,536.99 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: $2,845 raised, $755.51 spent, $35,626.48 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Jennifer Merideth
Deputy Treasurer: John Merideth

Ward Committees (PACs)

New 7th Ward Democratic organization: None

New 7th Ward Republican organization: None

Current 6th Ward Democratic Organization
Campaign Finance
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
May 2021 Report: $690.00 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Melissa Korba
Deputy Treasurer & Chair: S.J. Creek (Metaphase Design Group)
President: Patricia  Barber

Current 6th Ward Republican organization: None

Political Party Committeepeople

Current 6th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Vanessa Carroll
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Resident Tax Abated: No
Occupation: current or former Build A Bear Workshop designer
Other Elected Office: Treasurer of Progress PAC for Board President Megan Ellyia Green; Treasurer for 7th Ward Alder Candidate Alisha Sonnier; former Treasurer for Alison Dreith for 6th Ward Democratic Committeewoman
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
January 2021 Report: $349.95 on hand, $0 debt

Current 6th Ward Democratic Committeeman– Vacant

Current 6th Ward Republican Committeewoman: Vacant

Current 6th Ward Republican Committeeman Michael Hebron
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: facilities assistant at Benson Hill; realtor; security officer at Keystone Event Staffing
Other Elected Office: former candidate for 5th District Senator 2020; former candidate for 6th Ward Alder 2019;
Campaign Finance
* No party committeeman account filed at MEC

Former Public Officials

Former 6th Ward Alder Christine Ingrassia
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: Director of Operations for Board of Alders President;  former paddle guide for Big Muddy Adventures
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Previous Report with activity- July 2019 Report: $1,639.31 raised, $837.60 spent, $2,474.33 on hand, $5,800 debt
Treasurer: self/Christine Ingrassia


* Political Party County Central Committee ward and township committeepeople have the option to file their campaign finance reports with their county election authority- Board of Election Commissioners in the case of St. Louis City- or online with Missouri Ethics Commission. The St. Louis City Board of Election once posted pdfs of ward committeepeople campaign finance reports to the Board’s website. That is no longer the case. To inspect records, you must visit the Board in person.

**Appointed by Mayor Lyda Krewson. The City Register is a county office as well as municipal office under state law, the County Clerk where applicable.