SLPS audit shows findings back to 2020; district reports 52% fund balance and begins operational changes

Dr. Millicent Burishadeh, superintendent of Saint Louis Public Schools, said a recent districtwide audit identified findings dating back to 2020 and that the district is addressing those findings as part of a transparency and fiscal-responsibility effort.

She reported the district’s fund balance is at 52%, which she said is well above the required 3% threshold established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Burishadeh said the district expanded financial training for staff and that several board members and all cabinet members received training.

The superintendent said the district began reviewing and updating policies starting with finance and human resources to create greater alignment, accountability and trust across departments. She also thanked outgoing board members Tony Cousins, Matt Davis, Sadie Weiss and Natalie Vowel for their service and welcomed new members to the Board of Education.

On operations, Burishadeh said the district began a transition to a new transportation partner, ZOOM, which she said will bring greater reliability and transparency to bus services and give parents increased visibility into routes and bus status. She said in-person registration help was provided throughout the city during the launch of the district’s first fully online student registration system.

The address did not specify the audit’s findings in detail, the budgetary implications of addressing those findings, nor contract terms for the new transportation partner.