Having a Ball STL’s own Montee Ball is a leading candidate for the 2011 Heisman Trophy awarded to the nation’s top player. Page B3 CAC Audited Vol. 83 No. 33 NOVEMBER 17 – 23, 2011 stlamerican.com COMPLIMENTARY Saved by daddy NEWS ANALYSIS A man carries his son and dog across the AMERICA street in the 4200 block of Cook Avenue after a fire in his home on 2050: Monday. ready or not! Equity and inclusion Leaders who employ and play will trump greed and along with the “divide and racism – or else conquer” racial tactics of the By Damion Trasada For The St. Louis American past need to be consigned to As I walked among the over 2,000 people recent- the ash heap of ly gathered at the Equity Summit 2011 Conference history. in Detroit, I kept thinking of Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The conference was held Nov. 8-10 and organized – Damion Trasada See TRASADA, A6 SLPS inks 3-year deal with teachers Union agrees to 2 percent pay increase, no furloughs St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams and AFT St. Louis, Local 420, AFL-CIO President Mary J. Armstrong celebrated the three-year agreement the district reached Photo by Wiley Price with the union on Tuesday. ‘Thank everybody Photo courtesy St. Louis Public Schools By Rebecca S. Rivas years. Of The St. Louis American “This agreement is a reality thanks to the partnership between the district St. Louis Public School District and Local 420,” said Superintendent employees are getting a raise for the Kelvin Adams. first time in three years. In addition to the salary in St. Louis’ On Tuesday, the dis- increase, the new policy “This agree- trict’s Special provides the continuation Administrative Board ment is a reality of current health benefits voted to approve a three- thanks to the and does not include fur- Homegrown star Amber Bullock goes year agreement with the partnership lough days. District teachers’ union, AFT between the employees have taken Local 420, which provides seven total unpaid fur- from Sunday Best to the Fabulous Fox a 2 percent pay increase district and lough days over the past for district teachers and Local 420.” two school years, which By Kenya Vaughn Fabulous Fox Theatre as an opening up there is indeed a story that fairy staff for the 2011/12 saved the district $3 mil- Of The St. Louis American artist.” tales are made of. school year. – Superintendent lion last year. As part of After earning top honors on the “This whole experience has The contract goes into Kelvin Adams the agreement, employees “I mean, you drive down Grand top-rated gospel singing competition been absolutely amazing,” Bullock effect immediately and will not be asked to take all the time and you see ‘Oprah on BET in September, her wildest said. “I’m in awe and still taking it covers the period of July furloughs, or days off Winfrey presents’ and other big dreams have come true – including all in – since the beginning of 1, 2011 – June 30, 2014. without pay. names,” Sunday Best winner and billing on the iconic concert venue. Sunday Best to this very day.” This is the first pay raise for district “In recent years, we’ve made STL native Amber Bullock said. “Kirk Franklin’s Fearless Tour Millions voted from around the employees since the 2008/09 school progress towards reaching accredita- “Never in a million years did I with special guest Sunday Best world to crown her champion of year. The policy also allows for oppor- tion through improved academic think – you can’t even imagine – Winner Amber Bullock” is how it tunities to negotiate additional salary seeing your name in lights at the reads. Her rise to getting her name See BULLOCK, A7 increases for the following two school See SLPS, A7.