By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Officials with the St. Louis Public Schools said the first day of classes went smoothly Monday.
At a news conference Monday evening, Assistant Superintendent Charlene Jones said more than 76 percent of the 38,000 students attended school. She said that is up from previous years, but could still be improved.
"We are doing everything we can to reassure parents and get children into the schools tomorrow and every day thereafter," Jones said. "But we will not be satisfied until 100 percent of our students are in class."
Preliminary figures showed higher attendance at middle and high schools as compared to elementary schools.
Administrators said nearly all schools had books and other supplies in classrooms on time.