ST. LOUIS — In the midst of leadership woes, a St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) board member called for resignations of the board president and vice president over the weekend.

What You Need To Know

  • In a Facebook post, SLPS board member Emily Hubbard claimed “misappropriation of power” by Board President Toni Cousins and Vice President Matt Davis

  • SLPS Superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett was put on temporary leave last month after a closed door board meeting, following hiring, budget and transportation concerns 

  • Some recent hires and vendors made by the district reportedly had prior connections to Scarlett

  • Hubbard took accountability for the hires of Scarlett’s “friends,” but also assumed they had gone through the proper vetting process prior to needing board approval

In a Facebook post, SLPS board member Emily Hubbard claimed “misappropriation of power” by Board President Toni Cousins and Vice President Matt Davis.

“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,” Hubbard posted on Saturday.

SLPS Superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett was put on temporary leave last month after a closed door board meeting, following hiring, budget and transportation concerns.

Some recent hires and vendors made by the district reportedly had prior connections to Scarlett.

Hubbard took accountability for the hires of Scarlett’s “friends,” but also assumed they had gone through the proper vetting process prior to needing board approval.

“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,” her post states.

In response to Hubbard’s Facebook post, Cousins told Spectrum News that her main priorities are making sure all schools are secured and prepared for classes to begin, in addition to providing transportation, and before and after care.

“I hope that board member Hubbard would also be interested in and concerned about that,” she said.

Spectrum News also reached out to Davis for comment and has yet to respond.

“The board endorsed all of those decisions,” Mayor Tishaura Jones told Spectrum News.

“All of those decisions that the superintendent made came through the board. And so, anyone who voted for those decisions should be held accountable.”

Meanwhile, Jones has called for a state audit over the district’s spending. She said SLPS began the 2023-24 school year with a $17 million surplus and now, there is a projected $35 million budget deficit.

“Where’s the money gone?” Jones said.

While Davis has said the district has enough reserves on hand, Jones told Spectrum News that the district’s financial situation is not a healthy position to be in.

“If that’s the case, then open the books and show us,” Jones said.  

Her other concerns include the district’s transportation plan and start/dismissal times for the upcoming school year. 

A public meeting on transportation solutions is set for Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Vashon High School beginning at 6 p.m.

Since Scarlett’s administrative leave, Deputy Superintendent Millicent Borishade has stepped in as acting superintendent. 

Jones also told Spectrum News that when someone is put on administrative leave, the next step is that they are usually “out the door.”

“We’ve been here before and have had the superintendent dance. Having a new superintendent every 12 to 18 months, and our children and families suffer as a result,” she said.