ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has requested an audit of Saint Louis Public Schools, according to a spokesperson from the Missouri Auditor’s Office.
Saint Louis Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the state of Missouri, is facing some serious challenges ahead of the 2024-25 school year, including a budget deficit, transportation issues and some sudden staff departures.
The Missouri Auditor’s Office confirmed with FOX 2 on Friday that Jones has requested an audit, but has not yet disclosed whether an audit is underway or any specific details of what might be reviewed.
One major focus of a state audit could be the district’s budget, which shifted from a $17 million surplus last year to a $35 million deficit this year, according to our news partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Meanwhile, an advocacy group called Coalition with STL Kids has also created a petition that calls on state auditor Scott Fitzpatrick “to conduct a comprehensive audit of the finances, operations, and governance of the Board of Education of the City of St. Louis,” according to a news release.
The Coalition with STL Kids is searching for answers about the district’s budget, in addition to contracts, record keeping and management of district resources.
The Coalition with STL Kids is formally planning to meet on Aug. 13 at the SLPS headquarters for a formal announcement to call for a state audit. SLPS says its first day of the new upcoming school year is Aug. 19.
