Ex-St. Louis Public Schools superintendent loses appeal to reclaim job

ST. LOUIS – Dr. Keisha Scarlett, initially fired last month from her brief tenure as the superintendent for St. Louis Public Schools, has lost an appeal to reclaim the position.

The St. Louis Board of Education held an evidentiary hearing Monday evening and voted to “terminate the employment of Dr. Scarlett for cause, effective immediately,” according to a news release from St. Louis Public Schools.

The vote formally ends Scarlett’s tenure with SLPS, formally ending Scarlett’s attempt to appeal and be reinstated as the superintendent.

SLPS reports that six board members voted to terminate the employment of Scarlett and only one voted against it after she challenged the original vote for termination in September.

Last month, the school board voted 6-0 to notify Scarlett of its intent to terminate her contract after discussing an external investigation around her employment.

Scarlett initially joined SLPS as a superintendent in July 2023. SLPS has navigated through a variety of challenge since then, including an apparent budget deficit, student transportation plans in flux and other sudden staff departures. The Missouri Auditor’s Office launched an audit into the school district in August.

SLPS adds in its news release that “the District’s investigation [around Scarlett’s employment] is ongoing, and results will be made available when complete.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.