St. Louis school superintendent ousted after 15 months

Millicent Borishade has been fired as superintendent of St. Louis (Missouri) Public Schools after a 15-month tenure marked by criticism of her handling of a school closure plan and a vote of no confidence from the teachers union.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Borishade says the board terminated her without cause. Her contract calls for her to receive about $750,000 in remaining salary.

"I know that I've done my very best and I'm leaving (the district) much better than I found it," Borishade said.

The board has appointed Myra Berry, interim chief of human resources, as interim superintendent, St. Louis Public Radio reports. School board member Ben Conover, appointed in February, says he has resigned from the board in the wake of Borishade's ouster.

He was not present for the board's vote last week to remove Borishade, but says he would have voted to keep her.

Nearly 2,000 teachers and support staff signed a no-confidence vote against Borishade in August based on "numerous and troubling concerns."

The petition cited Borishade's delayed discussions with union leaders about relocating seven tornado-damaged schools and her disclosure in July of a consultant's proposal to close 37 out of 68 school buildings because of declining enrollment.

Borishade was scheduled to give recommendations for permanent school closures at a meeting Monday; it now has been canceled.

Ray Cummings, president of the American Federation of Teachers Local 420, said union leaders are hopeful that the tornado-damaged schools will be reopened and the board will reject a proposal from an architectural firm to shutter more than half of the district's school buildings.

Borishade was brought to St. Louis to serve as chief of schools, a position created in July 2023 by the newly hired superintendent, Keisha Scarlett. Scarlett was placed on leave a year later and fired in September 2024 over unapproved hiring and spending.

Borishade replaced Scarlett as interim superintendent in July 2024, and was given the permanent job in February.

Only two of seven current members of the St. Louis board approved the appointment of Borishade to superintendent.

Borishade came to St. Louis from the Tukwila School District in the Seattle area, where she served as chief academic officer for one year. 

Borishade was one of nine colleagues that Scarlett brought to St. Louis, where they received unapproved raises and perks, according to an audit by the Armanino accounting firm.