Missouri auditor to focus on SLPS deficit, transportation, and more beginning next week

ST. LOUIS – Missouri’s top auditor is looking into finances at one of the largest public school districts in the state. Taxpayers want answers from Saint Louis Public Schools surrounding staff hires, a multi-million dollar budget drop, and curriculums.

“Why didn’t the money go into fixing these schools for the health of the children? Why didn’t the money go into increasing the pay of the teachers? Why didn’t the money go into transportation? That is what is upsetting me,” Rep. Donna Baringer, D-St. Louis, said.

According to Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, his office already planned an audit, but the timeline was pushed up.

“There are allegations that the budget has gone from a $17 million surplus to a $35 million deficit, and you know, I’ve seen comments about having a fund balance. Obviously, if there is a deficit, you can only operate on a deficit for a given amount of time,” he said.

The audit will begin Tuesday, Aug. 13. Another area Fitzpatrick plans to investigate is the district’s transportation issues.

“We’ll look at the circumstances. There is reporting that the bus contractor gave short notice and canceled the contract. What led to that? What led to the cancellation of the contract? Was there something the school district did that could have prevented that from taking place and what contingency plans did they have in place?” he said.

Fitzpatrick says the school board has been cooperative so far. The audit could take up to a year but it is not expected to cause any issues with the current school year.

“The goal is that at the end of this year, we’ll have suggestions and recommendations for the school district that they can follow to hopefully get on a path to significantly improving their delivery of education to the children of St. Louis,” Fitzpatrick said.

According to a release from Fitzpatrick’s office, SLPS is the fourth school district to actively be audited, joining Independence School District, Kingstone K-14 School District, and Francis Howell R-III School District.

On Aug. 2, Mayor Tishaura Jones sent a letter to Fitzpatrick, which reads, in-part:

“Recent reporting has illuminated several concerning aspects of many contracts SLPS issued in the past year. Many went to vendors who have connections to the current superintendent, who has been placed on administrative leave. Others escaped competitive bidding requirements and the scrutiny of the SLPS Board of Education, because they were for under $50,000.

“In addition, at least 12 administrators and employees from the superintendent’s former employer, and some of their spouses, appear to have received SLPS employment contracts as top staff. At the same time, existing SLPS teachers and staff were told that raises approved by the SLPS Board to begin in the 2024-25 school year would be delayed due to “logistical issues.” This raises questions about whether and what kind of vetting was performed on these contracts, and how decisions to approve them were reached.

“I believe that, under the current circumstances, having a companion audit performed by your office that fully assesses recent SLPS administrative and Board practices is also necessary.”

Fitzpatrick invites anyone with information regarding SLPS to confidentially contact his office by email at moaudit@auditor.gov, through the State Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597 or click here .

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