(St Louis) City schools face Day One showdown | Post-Dispatch

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City schools face Day One showdown
By Jake Wagman
Post-Dispatch
08/07/2003


The team running St. Louis Public Schools has its sights set on Sept. 8.

The mission to turn students out for the first day of school is shaping into what could be a symbolic winner-takes-all victory.

Acting schools chief William V. Roberti is committed to a strong showing - an achievement that would go a long way to justify his hefty paycheck. The retired Army Reserve colonel compares the push to when he helped coordinate troop movements in the Persian Gulf War.

But his critics seem just as determined to show him up - and the rules of engagement are on their side. If, as they have threatened, parents keep their kids home and teachers stay away, this first day could be the worst ever.

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