Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Contact: Rich Chrismer, 573-751-0290
Blunt Supplies Letters of Support for State School Board Appointee to State Senator-Elect
JEFFERSON CITY–Governor Matt Blunt’s office today sent a file of letters supporting the appointment of Donayle E. Whitmore-Smith to Senator-elect Jeff Smith’s office. Blunt has received dozens of letters supporting Whitmore-Smith, an African-American Democrat of St. Louis City, to the State Board of Education.
“Donayle Whitmore-Smith has the qualifications and background to serve in this post and help our children get the education they need to be successful,” Blunt said. “She will also bring a diversity of opinion to the state’s school board. Many others agree that she is the right choice for the State Board of Education. I know Donayle would appreciate the support of her incoming State Senator and we hope that he will consider the many letters we have received endorsing her appointment.”
If the Senate approves Whitmore-Smith, she would be the only African-American parent of school age children serving on the board. Last week, Blunt appointed another African-American to the State Board of Education, Reverend Stanley Archie of Kansas City.
The letters of support for Whitmore-Smith range from parents who sent their children to the school that Whitmore-Smith founded, to a Governor Carnahan appointee to the Coordinating Board of Higher Education, to a university administrator, to the President/CEO of the Urban League of St. Louis, to a member from the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations’ Educational Committee, to Missouri citizens who strongly support the governor’s position regarding a need for a diversity of opinions on the state’s school board.
###