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Tornado on May 16 damaged Saint Louis Public Schools facilities; district outlines recovery plan
Summary
Dr. Millicent Burishadeh, superintendent, said a May 16 tornado heavily damaged several Saint Louis Public Schools buildings and nearby neighborhoods and described ongoing recovery efforts with community and government partners.
Dr. Millicent Burishadeh, superintendent of Saint Louis Public Schools, said on the district’s annual address that a tornado on May 16, 2025, severely impacted several school buildings and surrounding neighborhoods, displacing families and disrupting operations.
“Recovery is ongoing, but so far it is our commitment,” Burishadeh said, thanking community organizations and government partners for immediate relief.
Burishadeh credited school leaders, students in transition and community partners — including the Little Bit Foundation, the Saint Louis Public Schools Foundation and the Parsons Blue Book Foundation — for providing shelter, food, clothing, transportation and counseling services after the storm. She also thanked Mayor Spencer, the governor and the Missouri National Guard for their response.
The superintendent said the district’s work goes beyond restoring buildings. “We’re not just restoring buildings, we’re rebuilding trust, strength, and hope,” she said, framing recovery as both physical rebuilding and community support.
Burishadeh noted district staff and partners organized a community outreach fair after the storm and singled out school leaders and dozens of staff who pivoted to support relief efforts. She said recovery remains a priority as the district balances immediate needs with longer-term rebuilding and trust-building in affected neighborhoods.
The district did not provide a timeline for rebuilding in the remarks and did not specify funding sources for reconstruction during the address.
