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NCNAA principal recommends moving newcomer program into a school‑within‑a‑school at Melanfi
Summary
Naheed Chapman New American Academy principal Christina Morris told the board enrollment among newcomer students has fallen (31 at start of year) and recommended shifting the newcomer program into a school‑within‑a‑school at Melanfi to preserve specialized services while aligning resources; the board will consider the recommendation at the first April meeting.
Christina Morris, principal of Naheed Chapman New American Academy (NCNAA), told the Saint Louis Public Schools board at its March 24 work session that enrollment among newcomer students has fallen sharply and recommended transitioning NCNAA from a standalone campus to a school‑within‑a‑school model at Melanfi.
Morris said the program enrolled 31 newcomer students at the start of the school year and that resettlement agency data indicate regional newcomer arrivals have remained stagnant, reducing the pool of eligible students. "It's with a heavy heart I stand before you tonight to present the information regarding the current reality and the future of Naheed Chapman New American Academy," Morris said, adding that staff and families have been consulted and that the recommendation is designed to preserve the program's core supports.
The recommendation would locate the newcomer program inside Melanfi's existing elementary facility rather than maintain a separate building. Morris said the school‑within‑a‑school approach would keep specialized language instruction, targeted academic supports and social‑emotional services while allowing newcomer students to access broader opportunities within a larger school.
HR staff described the reassignment process for affected employees: certified staff will be given vacancy lists, asked to identify three to five choices, and placed according to seniority; noncertified staff will be placed by seniority in their areas. An HR representative said the district is coordinating closely with affected personnel and has been meeting with staff and parents as part of a listening process.
Board members thanked Morris and the staff and emphasized preserving culturally responsive practices and wraparound family services. Board member Jones called the staff proposals "a way to offer more resources to the community" rather than simply closing facilities. Superintendent staff said the board will be asked to approve the recommendation at the board's first meeting in April.
Next steps: the board is scheduled to consider formal approval at the first April board meeting; staff will continue HR placement work and community engagement in the interim.
