St. Louis Public Schools fires superintendent after ‘intense’ discussions with school board

The troubled St. Louis Public Schools district remained tight-lipped about the reasons it has fired its latest superintendent, Dr. Millicent Borishade, during an Oct. 20 press meeting.

“Not one specific thing could be pinpointed,” said Board President Dr. Karen Collins-Adams, according to Gray’s KMOV First Alert 4.

However, Collins-Adams acknowledged board discussions had been getting “intense” regarding community concerns, arguing the dismissal was necessary to move the district forward. 

“Why, if we have serious problems, and we have community concerns, and we are not progressing, would you want to keep someone in that place, that everyone is saying, we need to be able to look at other options,” she responded to questions on Borishade’s buyout payment. 

“We need to heal our community, we need to be able to move our students forward, we need to be fiscally sound. There are a lot of things that have been brought to the table, and we are not doing that. Then, would you suggest we keep the person?” 

‘On a path to bankruptcy’ 

As previously reported by The Lion, the district suffered from excessive misuse of public funds under former superintendent Keisha Scarlett, who was placed on an abrupt leave of absence in July 2024. 

“Time and time again, you’ll see that the Board of Education can and must do a much better job of providing leadership and oversight for the district,” said Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick in August, concluding his report of the district’s projected “path to bankruptcy.” 

Questionable expenses ranged from a Top Golf venue rental and travel upgrades to an Airbnb rental and “unexplained four-night stay at Caesar’s Palace” – totaling more than $8,600 for just the four items. 

The board was criticized for being “asleep at the wheel and (allowing) Dr. Scarlett to abuse the system in the first place,” Fitzpatrick said. 

Meanwhile, the district has appointed Dr. Myra Berry as interim superintendent, who also spoke at the press meeting. 

“I have no illusions about the challenges we face today and ones we will face in the future,” she said. “They are real, they are important, but not insurmountable.”

‘Concerned about the instability in the school district’ 

Berry told journalists her commitment is to serve as interim only. Meanwhile, a permanent superintendent should be selected by July 1 after a three- to four-month search, according to the district. 

Not everyone agreed with the board’s decision to terminate Borishade. 

“I’m concerned about the instability in the school district,” said Matt Davis, who served as board vice president and helped hire Borishade earlier this year.

“There haven’t been any reasons articulated why a person has been fired at a great expense. I think there’s a lot of questions.”

Borishade’s termination will reportedly cost taxpayers almost $750,000 per her contract, First Alert 4 reported.