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Maplewood Richmond Heights reports enrollment stability, state grants and potential bond
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Benita Jamieson told the Maplewood City Council that district enrollment remains steady at about 1,550 students, the district earned high performance rankings, received multiple grants (including $400,000 and $125,000 awards) and is considering a bond and possible debt service transfer to support teacher pay.
Maplewood — Dr. Benita Jamieson, superintendent of the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District, briefed the city council Dec. 10 on academic progress and district finances, saying the district has bucked regional enrollment declines and has won multiple grants that will help classrooms and safety.
"PK–12 for the district, we have approximately 1,550 students in the district currently," Dr. Jamieson said during her presentation. She highlighted the district's performance: Niche and U.S. News rankings placed the district among the top-performing districts in Missouri and showed substantial year-over-year gains on the district's Annual Performance Report that Jamieson attributed to staff and Board of Education efforts.
Jamieson told council the district received an unmodified audit opinion from its auditors for fiscal year 2024 and an unmodified state and federal reporting package, meaning auditors expressed no reservations about the statements and compliance. She also said the district secured a $400,000 grant from the Missouri Secondary Education program and a $125,000 state grant intended for facility safety improvements, in addition to other technology grants.
On staffing and pay, Jamieson said the district has made sizable pay increases in the past two years to improve retention but that certified teacher pay remains lower than many nearby districts. She told council the Board will discuss a potential bond and a debt service transfer at a Dec. 19 Board of Education meeting; Jamieson characterized the transfer as intended to avoid a tax-rate increase while increasing funds available for teacher compensation.
Jamieson invited council members and residents to district events in mid-December, including student capstones on Dec. 17 and a Board meeting on Dec. 19 where district financing options will be discussed.
Council members thanked Jamieson for the update and for the district's progress during the pandemic recovery period.
