In response to an extensive audit concerning the Saint Louis Public Schools' (SLPS) finances, the district has instituted sweeping changes, including an immediate halt on the use of district-issued credit cards. The recent audit, which was spurred by concerns over spending practices, prompted the interim superintendent Millicent Borishade to collect the credit cards, a decision detailed by KSDK. Over a year under the former Superintendent Keisha Scarlett's administration, there was a reported $1.5 million charged to these credit cards.
Records acquired by STLToday reveal that the investigation into these spending practices only covered a fraction of the cards issued, with 16 other district cards not included in the review. Former superintendent Scarlett and three of her staffers were the primary focus, where around $260,500 in expenditures were examined. Previous to her tenure, only three district credit cards were in existence, indicating a significant increase during her time in the position. The interim superintendent, surrounded by questions concerning district card usage, affirmed her compliance with school district policies when queried by First Alert 4.
As SLPS grapples with its public image and fiscal responsibility, measures have been taken such as requiring all credit card holders to return their cards to the District Chief Financial Officer. The audit's findings have also pushed the district to implement recommendations to better manage finances, citing the need for public trust and adherence to standards of fiscal responsibility. This announcement was made public via a release, as reported by First Alert 4.
Complications within the district have been compounded by transportation plan upheavals and changes to key personnel, with changes made just weeks apart in the summer months. The austerity in credit card spending comes as part of a larger effort to fill a growing budget deficit, projected at a daunting $35 million. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones highlighted these financial straits when she requested the initial audit. Meanwhile, the SLPS board, through Vice President Matt Davis, has expressed a commitment to transparency and action to build back trust within the community, acknowledging the scrutiny the board faces and the challenge ahead. "It's going to take an incredible amount of work but I do hope and believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel," Davis told KSDK.
The school district has been tasked with not only correcting its current course but also setting a precedent for financial governance that will steer clear of the troubles of the past. An upcoming board meeting set for tomorrow may provide further insights into the ongoing efforts to address the district's financial management and the search for a new superintendent who can uphold the desired standards of responsibility and trustworthiness.
