One month after the St. Louis Public Schools superintendent asked for alternatives to closing 11 schools, no solid plan has emerged to bring in the needed students or dollars to keep them open.
The district’s board will vote Tuesday on Kelvin Adams’ recommendation which, if unchanged, would close Clay, Dunbar, Farragut, Ford, Hickey and Monroe elementary schools; Fanning Middle School; Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC, Northwest and Sumner high schools. Carnahan High would be converted to a middle school.
At the board’s Dec. 15 meeting, Adams invited the community to come up with concrete solutions for the district’s plunging enrollment and half-empty schools. Seven of the 11 schools on the closure list are in north St. Louis.
Adams and board members have since met with at least 20 groups about the closure process, but any ideas to save schools “are largely in the formative stages and would require substantial financial backing to implement,†said Dorothy Rohde Collins, board president.
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One group interested in the future of Farragut Elementary is the Tabernacle Community Development Corp., which is converting the former Farragut building two blocks away into a community center called the Hub, which Superintendent Adams toured earlier this month.
Andre Alexander, president of the development group, wants the newer Farragut to stay open to help attract families to the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood, where Tabernacle buys and rehabs old homes.
Closing Farragut would represent “a blow to hope,†Alexander said. “It impacts morale. It makes people ask the question, ‘What’s next?’â€
Tabernacle is on track to receive a redevelopment designation from the city for a large area around Fairground Park, where the development group has plans for 91 homes. The designation would keep property taxes low in case home values increase.
That means less money for the school district, which is primarily funded through property taxes. But Alexander still sees a benefit for the district in the trade-off.
“If we can bring families back, if we can create space for business, not to mention employ a lot of people from the neighborhood, then we can have people who are generating tax dollars,†Alexander said.
Even if Farragut doesn’t grow significantly from its current enrollment of 158 students, Tabernacle could offer financial support to keep the school open with small class sizes. If the school does end up closing, Alexander said, the group would be interested in converting its current building for community use.
Others involved in meetings with school district leaders include members of the city’s Board of Aldermen, which passed a resolution last month to oppose school closures. That vote has generated discussion about the board’s role in school funding.
In 2019, the city approved $35.8 million in tax increment financing and abatements that would otherwise have gone to SLPS, according to the district.
“The School Board members have a very good defense when we have the audacity to say we don’t want them to close our schools when we’re doing all this tax abatement,†1st Ward Alderman Sharon Tyus said Wednesday at a committee meeting.
Alderman Megan Ellyia Green, 15th Ward, , including tax incentive reform and adding St. Louis to the Special School District, which oversees special education in most St. Louis County districts.
“We have to figure out how to get middle-income families to opt back into the district,†Green said.
This year, 18,248 students are enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade, down from a peak of more than 115,000 in the late 1960s.
Green also called on corporations such as Square that have received large tax breaks to donate to save Sumner High from closure. The school dates to 1875 and is considered the first African American high school west of the Mississippi River. Enrollment has dwindled to fewer than 200 students this year.
Green and other aldermen have also raised concerns about the growth of charter schools, which are publicly funded but governed by private boards separate from the district. One charter school will open next fall in Midtown, and at least five more are in the works for the 2022-2023 school year. Several others including Kairos Academies and City Garden Montessori plan to expand in the fall. About 11,400 students now attend charter schools in the city.
“We need an overall strategic plan for the city on how many schools we need and where they need to be located,†Green said.
Corey Bradford, new president of Harris-Stowe State University, is an SLPS graduate who says he wants to renew the university’s relationship with the district and help keep schools open. Harris-Stowe was originally founded by the district in 1857 as a teachers college that later included a branch at Sumner.
“The community has to rally together on a public agenda for improving St. Louis,†said Bradford. “We have to make a greater investment on the communities on the northside, bring back the population base that we have lost.â€
As school starts online, in-person or hybrid, see what St. Louis area superintendents are paid
Affton: Nathan Bracht

Nathan Bracht is paid $185,400 as superintendent in the Affton School District. has an enrollment of 2,587 students.
Bayless: Ronald Tucker

Ronald Tucker is paid a salary of $221,000 as superintendent of Bayless schools. has 1,715 students.Ìý
Brentwood: Brian Lane

Brian Lane is paid $185,658 as superintenent of the Brentwood School District.
Clayton: Sean Doherty

Sean Doherty's salary as Clayton schools superintendent is $223,775.00.
Crystal City: Matt Holdinghausen

Matt Holdinghausen is superintendent of the Crystal City schools. The Post-Dispatch is awaiting a response on his salary. Enrollment is 497 students.Ìý
De Soto: Josh Isaacson

Josh Isaacson is paid $153,311 as superintendent of De Soto schools. Enrollment is 2,588 students.Ìý
Dunklin: Clint Freeman

Clint Freeman is paid $150,000 as superintendent of the Dunklin School District. Enrollment is 1,489 students.
Elsberry: Tim Reller

Tim Reller is paid $115,565 as superintendent of the Elsberry School District. The district has enrollment of 787 students.
Festus: Link Luttrell

Link Luttrell is paid $203,304 as superintndent of the Festus School District. Enrollment is 3,099 students.Ìý
Fox: Nisha Patel

Nisha Patel is paid $182,500 as the Fox district superintendent. The district has an enrollment of 11,136 students.
Francis Howell: Nathan Hoven

Nathan Hoven is paid $205,000 as superintendent of Francis Howell schools. Enrollment is 16,767 students.
Fort Zumwalt: Bernard DuBray

Bernard DuBray is paid $209,115 as Fort Zumwalt School District superintendent. Enrollment is 17,518 students.Ìý
Grandview: Matt Zoph

Matt Zoph is paid $151,542 as superintendent of the Grandview district in Jefferson County. Enrollment is 704 students.Ìý
Hancock Place: Kevin Carl

Kevin Carl is paid $235,115 as superintendent of Hancock Place schools. Enrollment is 1,417 students.Ìý
Hazelwood: Nettie Collins-Hart

Nettie Collins-Hart is paid $253,126 as the superintendent of the Hazelwood School District. Enrollment is 16,570 students.Ìý
Hillsboro: Jon Isaacson

Jon Isaacson is paid $140,000 as superintendent of the Hillsboro School District. Enrollment is 3,428 students.Ìý
Jefferson County: Clint Johnston

Clint Johnston is paid $152,700 as superintendent of the Jefferson R-7 district in Jefferson County. Enrollment is 1,027 students.Ìý
Jennings: Art McCoy

Art McCoy is paid $223,389 as superintendent of Jennings School District. Enrollment is 2,429 students.
Kirkwood: David Ulrich

David Ulrich is paid $224,000 as superintendent of the Kirkwood School District. Enrollment is 5,865 students.Ìý
Ladue: James Wipke

James Wipke is paid $221,2000 as superintendent of Ladue School District. Enrollment is 4,236 students.Ìý
Lindbergh: Tony Lake

Tony Lake is paid $210,000 as superintendent of the Lindbergh School District. Enrollment is 7,087 students.
Maplewood-Richmond Heights: Karen Hall

Karen Hall is paid $199,000 as superintendent of the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District. Enrollment is 1,441 students.Ìý
Mehlville: Chris Gaines

 Chris Gaines is paid $223,330 as superintendent of the Mehlville School District. Enrollment is 9,963 students.Ìý
Meramec Valley: Jonathan Mulford

Jonathan Mulford is paid $165,000 as superintendent of the Meramec Valley School District. Enrollment is 2,910 students.Ìý
New Haven: Josh Hoener

Josh Hoener is paid $91,500 as superintendent of the New Haven School District. It has an enrollment of 489 students.Ìý
Normandy: Marcus Robinson

Marcus Robinson is paid $215,000 as as the superintendent of the Normandy Schools Collaborative. Enrollment is 3,000 students.Ìý
Northwest: Desmond Kirchhofer

Desmond "Desi" Kirchhofer is paid $181,572 as superintendent of the the Northwest School District. Enrollment is 6,045 students.Ìý
Orchard Farm: Thomas Muzzey

Thomas Muzzey is paid $242,287 as superintendent of the Orchard Farm School District. Enrollment is 1,944 students.Ìý
Pattonville: Tim Pecoraro

Tim Pecoraro is paid $255,340 as superintendent of the Pattonville School District. Enrollment is 6,009 students.
Ritenour: Chris Kilbride

Chris Kilbride is paid $223,600 as superintendent of the Ritenour School District. Enrollment is 6,381 students.Ìý
Riverview Gardens: Scott Spurgeon

Scott Spurgeon is paid $181,289 as superintendent of the Riverview Gardens School District. Enrollment is 5,425 students.Ìý
Rockwood: Mark Miles

Mark Miles is paid $225,000 as superintendent of the Rockwood School District. Enrollment is 20,998 students.Ìý
Silex: Rod Hamlett

Rod Hamlett is superintendent of the Silex School District. The Post-Dispatch is awaiting word from the district on his salary. Enrollment is 422 students.Ìý
Special School District, St. Louis County: Elizabeth Keenan

Elizabeth Keenan is paid $245,000 as superintendent of the Special School District of St. Louis County.Ìý
St. Charles: Jason Sefrit

Jason Sefrit is paid $196,800 as superintendent of the St. Charles School District. Enrollment is 4,742 students.Ìý
St. Clair: Kyle Kruse

Kyle Kruse is paid $130,047 as superintendent of the St. Clair School District. Enrollment is 2,106 students.Ìý
St. Louis Public Schools: Kelvin Adams

Kelvin Adams is paid $234,052 as superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. Enrollment is 19,222 students.Ìý
Sullivan: Jana Thornsberry

Jana Thornsberry is paid $132,500 as superintendent of Sullivan schools. Enrollment is 2,055 students.Ìý
Troy School District: Mark Penny

Mark Penny is paid $204,400 as superintendent of the Troy School District. Enrollment is 6,326 students.Ìý
Union: Steve Weinhold

Steve Weinhold is paid $187,000 as superintendent of the Union School District. Enrollment is 3,180 students.Ìý
University City: Sharonica Hardin-Bartley

Sharonica Hardin is paid $207,630 as the superintendent of the University City School District. Enrollment is 2,512 students.Ìý
Valley Park: Tim Dilg

Tim Dilg is paid $180,000 as superintendent of the Valley Park schools. Enrollment is 872 students.Ìý
Warren County: Gregg Klinginsmith

Gregg Klinginsmith is paid $163,200 as superintendent of the Warren County School District. Enrollment is 3,018 students.Ìý
Washington, Mo.: Lori VanLeer

Lori VanLeer is paid $186,704 as superintendent of the Washington School District. Enrollment is 3,925 students.Ìý
Webster Groves: John Simpson

John Simpson is paid $222,700 as superintendent of Webster Groves School District. Enrollment is 4,489 students.Ìý
Wentzville: Curtis Cain

Curtis Cain is paid $217,350 as superintendent of the Wentzville School District. Enrollment is 17,327 students.Ìý
Windsor: Joel Holland

Joel Holland is paid $199,600 as superintendent of Windsor schools. Enrollment is 2,900 students.Ìý
Winfield: Daniel Williams

Daniel Williams is paid $125,630 as superintendent of the Winfield schools. Enrollment is 1,521 students.Ìý
Wright City: Chris Berger

Chris Berger is paid $155,000 as superintendent of Wright City schools. Enrollment is 1,654 students
What are they making at Mizzou?
Meet the 26 top-paid CEOs in St. Louis

The top-paid CEO makes $26 million, 383 times as much as the company's median employees.Ìý
Sumner High School celebrates 140 years with gala at the Chase
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Kenneth M. Lee, Sumner Alumni Association president, addresses the crowd at the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Jacqueline Vanderford, Club 140 chairperson, addresses the crowd at the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

From the left, John Ditto, Sumner High School graduate from 1957, chats with Thomas Mines, Sumner High School graduate from 1964, during the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams addresses the crowd at the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Dr. Michael Triplett, Sumner High School prinicpal effective July, 1, 2015, addresses the crowd at the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Ida Goodwin Woolfolk, mistress of ceremonies for the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala, addresses the gala crowd at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Larry Jones and Wannetta Gilliam Jones, both of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Scenes from the crowd at the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

From the left, Luveta Hunt, Lyonel Smith and Carolyn McClain-Smith, all of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

From the left, Donald Williams, Angela Jones and Flint Lloyd Jr., all of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Rodney Bufford and Jennifer Bufford, both of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

John Abram of St. Louis and Everett Curry of Kansas City, Mo. attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Haliday Douglas and Lisa Clancy, both of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Frank LaMarque, Sumner High School graduate from 1966, chats with fellow alumni during the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Scenes from the crowd at the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Scenes from the crowd at the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Belinda Burney and Derrick Burney, both of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Sharnez Givens and Aaron Williams, both of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Charles Watkins of St. Louis and Angela Curry of Kansas City, Mo. attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Arfield Davis and Julia Davis, both of Walnut, Calif., attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

Felicia Houston of San Jose, Calif. and Ralph Williams of Little Rock, Ark. attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala

From the left, Rev. David Rice Sr., Wilatrel Rice and Nancy McBride, all of St. Louis, attend the Sumner High School 140th Anniversary Gala at Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Blythe Bernhard • 314-340-8129 @blythebernhard on Twitter bbernhard@post-dispatch.com