A dozen candidates have filed to run for the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education in the April election.
There are three seats up for re-election, including one held by President Toni Cousins who has filed to run again. Vice President Matt Davis and board member Natalie Vowell announced on Facebook that they did not plan to seek another term.
The new candidates are competing to join remaining board members Emily Hubbard, Donna Jones, Sadie Weiss and Tracy Hykes.
The election comes as the board has faced increased scrutiny for their lack of oversight of former superintendent Keisha Scarlett, who allegedly misused district funds and offered high-paying contracts to her friends from Seattle Public Schools, according to an audit commissioned by the board. The board hired Scarlett in 2023.
Scarlett has denied any wrongdoing.
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s office is also in the process of auditing the school district.
The district faces ongoing bus driver and teacher shortages as well as low student enrollment, which will lead to some school closures according to district leaders.
The school board election will be held on April 8.
Here’s a list of the candidates:
Antionette ‘Toni’ Cousins | Cousins is the president of the SLPS Board of Education. She was elected to the board in 2021 and is a former SLPS student. Cousins has faced criticism for her relationship with former superintendent Keisha Scarlett and current interim superintendent Millicent Borishade. She is the daughter of Alderwoman Pam Boyd.
Karen Collins-Adams | Collins-Adams heads the Rising Teachers program at St. Louis University. She is a long-time school administrator. She served as principal in the Hazelwood School District and Director of Student Support Services for Normandy Schools Collaborative in the county. She is also the wife of former SLPS superintendent Kelvin Adams, who led the district from 2009-2023.
David Jackson | Jackson is a former SLPS Board of Education member from 2007-2015 and is the owner of DLJ Construction Services.
Allisa (AJ) Foster | Foster is a graduate of SLPS and the University of Missouri-Columbia. She participated in the Opportunity Trust’s School Board Fellowship program in 2024. She works at Digital Promise, a non-profit focused on digital equity for students.
William (Bill) Monroe | Monroe is a retired police officer and former SLPS Board of Education member from 2013-2017.
Krystal Barnett | Barnett is the CEO and founder of Bridge 2 Hope, a non-profit backed by The Opportunity Trust that helps parents navigate and advocate for their students at school board meetings.
Zach Davis | Davis is a social studies teacher at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School. According to his LinkedIn, he was a history teacher with SLPS from 2012-2018.
Tavon Brooks | Brooks is a real estate agent. He also works on violence prevention initiatives with Mission STL, a nonprofit that addresses poverty.
Andre Walker | Walker is a financial advisor with Walker Wealth Management.
Teri Powers | Powers is a former Democratic committee member for the 24th ward. She ran an unsuccessful campaign for alderwoman in ward 24 in 2019.
Robert Mason | Mason is CEO of DoubleWolf Enterprises, a real estate development company.
Brian Marston | Marston is the director of Web Technical Strategy at Washington University’s School of Medicine. He has two children who attend SLPS.
Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect spelling of Brian Marston's name.
This story was updated to include additional information about two candidates: AJ Foster and Brian Marston.
Editor’s Note: The Opportunity Trust is a financial supporter of St. Louis Public Radio. STLPR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations by members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in STLPR's journalism.
