ST. LOUIS — Just 15 days before the first bell rings to welcome students back to class, Mayor Jones is raising the alarm about leadership within the Saint Louis Public School District.
Superintendent Keisha Scarlett was put on temporary leave less than two weeks ago. On Friday, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones called for a state audit of the district's spending.
"Our children and our families are in the middle of this, and school is about to start in a couple of weeks. This chaos is unacceptable," she said.
The mayor joins other city and school leaders, calling for action within the district.
"We need a school district that functions and we had a school district that functioned for 14 years under the leadership of Dr. Kelvin Adams." she said.
Following the announcement of Scarlett being placed on temporary leave, Mayor Jones called on state officials to review the district's spending. In that letter she said that SLPS started the school year with a surplus of $17 million and there is now a projected deficit of $35 million.
"Given the news that has come out in the last several weeks about the mismanagement of funds for Saint Louis Public Schools, I think it's important to have our state auditor look into it," she said.
Mayor Jones also called attention to and questioned top-level hires Scarlett brought in from Washington state.
Deputy Superintendent Millicent Borishade was hired by Scarlett last summer. The board selected Borishade to serve as interim superintendent. Shortly before coming to St. Louis, Borishade was asked to resign her position as chief academic officer at the Tukwila School District in Washington.
Documents obtained Friday showed the Tukwila Education Association signed "no confidence" letters last year against Borishade in May of 2023. Another document of "no confidence" was signed for Dr. Allison Deno, who was also hired by Scarlett as SLPS' chief of schools.
The T.E.A. serves as that district's teachers union. In the letter calling for Borishade's resignation, union members describe the way her leadership impacted students, teachers, and administrators.
“She has ridiculed staff in my building for how their classroom library was set up of all things. Instead of feeling like we can share our students' progress, we are treated as less than professional.” One union member described in the letter.
5 On Your Side spoke to a former employee of the Tukwila School District who wished to remain anonymous. They worked under Borishade during her one year tenure and said the vote of no confidence came after months of micromangement under her leadership.
"She seemed to have her hands in everything," the employee said, describing similar grievances shared by other staff members.
The employee describes a frustrated group of teachers and administrators during Borishade's short time at Tukwila. They also say they know Dr. Scarlett and have always respected her, but her partnership with Borishade raised concerns.
"I was concerned and surprised when I saw Scarlett hired Borishade." The employee said.
Director of Communications for Saint Louis Public Schools, George Sells, says the district is confident Borishade is the right person to lead at this time.
"Dr. Millicent Borishade is unapologetically a warm demander of excellence and a champion for children" Sells told 5 on you Side Sunday night, adding, "The board is fully confident that under Dr. Borishade’s leadership, there will be no interruptions in the ongoing work and preparations for the upcoming school year."
Four SLPS Board of Education members voted in favor of promoting Borishade to interim superintendent. Two abstained from the vote, and the two other members voted against. Emily Hubbard was one of the two who opposed Borishade as acting superintendent.
5 On Your Side spoke to Mayor Jones less than a day after school board member Emily Hubbard called on the School Board's President and Vice President to step down.
"I think that is a bold and brave move on behalf of that school board member. That member has been as a part of all of this and has seen everything happen over the last year, and I applaud her for speaking out," she said.
Mayor Jones said the district is a vital part of making St. Louis what it is, and the city is ready to help get it back on track.
"All of these things need to be working together, our school district, our economic development efforts, our government. All of these things work together to provide a vibrant and thriving city for our families, and if one piece is not working, then we all need to come together and make sure that we can pull our resources together to make sure it works," she said.
Board President Toni Cousins and Vice President Matt Davis told 5 On Your Side their focus is preparing the district for the first day of school.
"My primary goal is ensuring transportation, before and after care and that all schools are safe and ready for the start of school. I would hope that would be the interest and concern of Board Member Hubbard as well," Cousins said.
Sells reiterated that sentiment in a statement shared with 5 on your Side:
"The Board of Education has the sole responsibility for overseeing Saint Louis Public Schools. We take this responsibility very seriously and are focused on making sure the District is in position to successfully welcome our students back on August 19th."