SLPS proposes moving sixth grade to middle school, centralizing CTE at Clyde C. Miller
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Summary
St. Louis Public Schools proposed shifting sixth graders from four elementary campuses into middle schools next year and centralizing career and technical education at Clyde C. Miller; the district estimated a $1.6 million transitional cost to move cosmetology and said centralization could unlock DESE grants, prompting questions about equity from board members.
St. Louis Public Schools on Tuesday asked the school board to approve a plan to move current fifth graders at Adams, Hickey, Mason and Nance into middle schools next year and to end sixth grade at those four elementary sites.
Doctor Dino, who led the academic portion of the presentation, said the change would align curriculum at each campus, give students access to electives and athletics and allow teachers to specialize by subject area. He said principals at the four schools support the shift and noted a prior, similar transition at Segal that families accepted.
"This would provide instructional alignment within each school," Doctor Dino said. "It also expands students' opportunities via access to electives and athletics that they don't have in their current elementary schools."
Casey Donahue, the district's CTE director, proposed centralizing area career center offerings at Clyde C. Miller, which the district maintains is designated through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Donahue said the phased approach would begin next school year and that the only transitional cost identified so far is an estimated $1,600,000 to move the cosmetology pathway from Beaumont to Clyde C. Miller. She said centralization would allow the district to pursue DESE base and performance grants and other enhancement funding to support programs.
Board members asked detailed questions about equity and access. Board member Jones pressed district leaders to explain why programs would be concentrated at Clyde C. Miller rather than located in North St. Louis or at Gateway High School to serve different neighborhoods. "I'm feeling quite a lot of prejudice toward North St. Louis," Jones said, urging the district to give other areas a chance to grow.
District leaders responded that the proposal is a single program move intended to improve access systemwide, that discussions are underway with community and labor partners, and that a Beaumont‑specific proposal could be prepared for the board's February meeting. Doctor Berry and Chief Watson said the district is talking with community stakeholders, the St. Louis Foundation and labor representatives to explore broader options.
The presentation did not include a final board action on the plan; administrators said they will provide options and return recommendations, including family outreach and transition plans, at a future meeting.