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Parents urge SLPS board to delay Mason sixth‑grade change and create exception pathway
Summary
Parents and advocates at the March 10 meeting urged the board to delay removing sixth grade from Mason Elementary and asked for a probationary enrichment or exception pathway to McKinley Middle School for affected fifth graders, citing missed application windows and equity concerns.
Multiple parents told the St. Louis Public Schools board that the district's sudden decision to remove sixth grade from Mason Elementary next year has left families with little time to plan and could disproportionately harm students.
A parent who identifies as a Mason parent (speaker 9) said families were informed three weeks earlier that sixth grade "will no longer remain at Mason starting next school year," leaving them to find new placements with limited opportunity to visit schools or attend open houses. She urged the district to use a phased rollout and to partner with families through committee surveys and open feedback channels.
Ashley McCain (speaker 16), who identified herself as a parent of two Mason students, asked the board to "create an exception pathway for the fifth grade students affected by the sixth grade sunset." She suggested this pathway might include "probationary enrichment placement with criteria on academic performance, character, behavior and principal teacher recommendation," arguing it would allow prepared students to continue with peer groups and reduce disruption.
Why it matters: Parents said the change undermines trust in a district already grappling with retention challenges and that abrupt transitions can force families to choose new schools midyear or opt out of the district entirely. Parents emphasized equity concerns, noting identification for gifted programs can be opaque and that newcomers to the district miss application opportunities.
Board response and next steps: The board heard the comments during public comment and did not make an immediate decision about altering the timeline. Parents requested specific policy steps — consultation with families, phased implementation, and an exception pathway — which would need to be considered by staff and presented to the board for any formal action.
Provenance: Comments and recommendations come from public commenters during the March 10 meeting.
