Baltimore Schools CEO Comments on Fox Reporter
Chris Papst, an investigative journalist from Fox45 News' Project Baltimore, has spent years uncovering grade scandals and corruption within Baltimore City Schools. His relentless reporting has not been well received by the head of the school system. In a recent interview, she humorously mentioned that her husband hasn't "punched out" the reporter.
"Baltimore City has been good to me - it has been good to my family - um you know my husband has not punched out Chris Papst, which is great because I don't want him going to jail , um when we have college tuitions to pay," Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises said in an interview with Fox45 News and its media partner The Baltimore Sun.
Dr. Santelises's Tenure and Scandals
Santelises has been leading the school system for several years, during which time she has been involved in numerous grade-changing scandals. Since she assumed her position in the 2016/17 school year—around the same time Papst and his team began their investigations—district enrollment has dropped by 6,500 students, approximately 8%. Despite this decrease in students, the school system's budget has increased by $400 million. However, as more taxpayer money is spent, grade scores are declining.
School System's Performance
Over the past eight years, the school system's graduation rate has fallen, while the dropout and chronic absenteeism rates have risen. In 2023, only 26% of students across the school system achieved proficiency on the state English test, a slight increase from 22.4% the previous year. This places city schools last in Maryland, lagging behind Somerset County at 31.4%. Math scores in city schools are also the lowest in the state. Last year, only 8.8% of students tested proficient in math.
Project Baltimore's Findings
Under Papst's guidance, Project Baltimore has revealed significant grade-changing scandals that have received national attention:
"Educational Homicide": 13 Baltimore City High Schools Have Zero Students Proficient On State Math Exam
Education Shock: 200 Maryland Public Schools Have
After Grade-Rigging Scandal, Baltimore City Schools No Longer Holding Back Failing Students
In response to these findings, the school system released the following statement:
"The comment about Mr. Papst was clearly made in jest , even eliciting laughs from WBFF's photographers."
Questions Raised
The situation raises the question of how the head of a school system can earn nearly half a million dollars per year in total compensation despite such incompetence and failure. This seems to be a scenario unique to Baltimore.
Another significant question is how a school system can spend taxpayer money recklessly while grade scores decline. Perhaps this is due to collusion between the school system and teacher unions, who may view students as commodities to be exploited for taxpayer money. After all, unions are known to fund the Democratic Party's political machinery...
Bottom Line
The situation in Baltimore City Schools raises serious questions about the management of public education and the use of taxpayer money. It is a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in our education system. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think changes need to be made to improve the situation? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm, to stay informed about this and other important issues.
Baltimore Schools CEO Comments on Fox Reporter
Chris Papst, an investigative journalist from Fox45 News' Project Baltimore, has spent years uncovering grade scandals and corruption within Baltimore City Schools. His relentless reporting has not been well received by the head of the school system. In a recent interview, she humorously mentioned that her husband hasn't "punched out" the reporter.
"Baltimore City has been good to me - it has been good to my family - um you know my husband has not punched out Chris Papst, which is great because I don't want him going to jail , um when we have college tuitions to pay," Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises said in an interview with Fox45 News and its media partner The Baltimore Sun.
Dr. Santelises's Tenure and Scandals
Santelises has been leading the school system for several years, during which time she has been involved in numerous grade-changing scandals. Since she assumed her position in the 2016/17 school year—around the same time Papst and his team began their investigations—district enrollment has dropped by 6,500 students, approximately 8%. Despite this decrease in students, the school system's budget has increased by $400 million. However, as more taxpayer money is spent, grade scores are declining.
School System's Performance
Over the past eight years, the school system's graduation rate has fallen, while the dropout and chronic absenteeism rates have risen. In 2023, only 26% of students across the school system achieved proficiency on the state English test, a slight increase from 22.4% the previous year. This places city schools last in Maryland, lagging behind Somerset County at 31.4%. Math scores in city schools are also the lowest in the state. Last year, only 8.8% of students tested proficient in math.
Project Baltimore's Findings
Under Papst's guidance, Project Baltimore has revealed significant grade-changing scandals that have received national attention:
"Educational Homicide": 13 Baltimore City High Schools Have Zero Students Proficient On State Math Exam
Education Shock: 200 Maryland Public Schools Have
After Grade-Rigging Scandal, Baltimore City Schools No Longer Holding Back Failing Students
In response to these findings, the school system released the following statement:
"The comment about Mr. Papst was clearly made in jest , even eliciting laughs from WBFF's photographers."
Questions Raised
The situation raises the question of how the head of a school system can earn nearly half a million dollars per year in total compensation despite such incompetence and failure. This seems to be a scenario unique to Baltimore.
Another significant question is how a school system can spend taxpayer money recklessly while grade scores decline. Perhaps this is due to collusion between the school system and teacher unions, who may view students as commodities to be exploited for taxpayer money. After all, unions are known to fund the Democratic Party's political machinery...
Bottom Line
The situation in Baltimore City Schools raises serious questions about the management of public education and the use of taxpayer money. It is a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in our education system. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think changes need to be made to improve the situation? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm, to stay informed about this and other important issues.
