ST. LOUIS — The superintendent of Saint Louis Public Schools was placed on a temporary leave of absence by the district's board of education.
In a statement, the board said Superintendent Keisha Scarlett was placed on leave, and Deputy Superintendent Millicent Borishade will be acting superintendent. The statement did not provide a reason for the change.
"We are fully confident that, under Dr. Borishade’s leadership as Acting Superintendent, there will be no interruptions in the ongoing work and preparations for the upcoming school year," the statement said.
The announcement came a day after the board of education held a special, closed-session meeting Thursday night to discuss a "personnel matter," according to a public notice posted to the district's website.
The abrupt decision comes just weeks before the start of the school year. Sources say there are concerns over how the district is spending its money.
"The timing couldn't be worse. School starts in a month... I would really like to know the reason behind it actually because then maybe I could understand it a little bit better," said concerned parent DeJanel Freeman.
The local teachers union is now reacting.
"Our phones have been lit up and texts and phone calls but we're limited to what we can say. Everyone has a right to due process and we don't think there should be any rush to judgement," said Byron Clemens with the American Federation of Teachers.
As the district gets to the bottom of whatever concerns there are, Clemens wants to put parents at ease.
"I think parents should have a high level of confidence in this elected school board, that they're going to do the right thing with taxpayer dollars and their responsibility," he said.
"I just expect a honest and a solid, grounded leader. I can't follow uncertainty or shakiness, I need things to be firm," Freeman added.
The move also comes a few days after the school board and district leaders held a work session to discuss transportation and a potential tax increase in the district. During that meeting, the board discussed using district police officers, volunteers and staff to patrol, what officials called, "areas of concern" that included high school students who could be utilizing Metro Buses and the Metrolink to get to and from school.
Scarlett replaced interim superintendent Nicole Williams, who served for six months after longtime superintendent Kelvin Adams retired in December of 2022.
Scarlett came from Seattle Public Schools where she was an assistant superintendent of academics. She signed a three-year contract with a yearly salary of $268,000.