SLPS board approves travel, 2026–27 calendar, and contract renewal; sets interviews for board vacancy

The St. Louis Public Schools board approved several action items during the Jan. 13 meeting, including travel requests, the 2026–27 school calendar, and a contract renewal for grant-writing services.

Travel: The board approved a request for the interim superintendent to attend the National Conference on Education (Nashville, with registration estimated at $1,343 plus hotel) and to attend the Council of Great City Schools legislative conference in Washington, D.C. (board membership waives registration fees; airfare and hotel requested). Board members approved both travel requests by roll call.

Calendar: The board voted to approve the SLPS 2026–27 school calendar after a motion and second; roll call showed support from voting members and the calendar was adopted.

Contract renewal: The board approved renewing a contract with Jezreel Consulting for grant-writing services for up to $32,000. Staff explained last year’s payments to the consultant were roughly $9,100. Staff also said Jezreel assisted with prior grant submissions that once included a congressional appropriation of $4,250,000, though staff said subsequent federal changes halted that process. Board members asked about in-house grant-writing capacity; staff said the district maintains a small internal team and relies on contractors because large federal applications can require 100+ hours.

Other items: The board received an informational presentation about a proposed 'World of Work' exploratory trip (costs covered by the Saint Louis Education Fund) and was told that interviews for a board-member vacancy will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. via Zoom with a livestream. The consent agenda was approved earlier in the meeting.

All formal votes recorded on the transcript for these items passed by roll call with members recorded as voting 'Yes.'