Francis Howell School District

The Missouri Equity Education Partnership, the St. Charles County NAACP and other groups say the Francis Howell School District needs to address a longstanding pattern of racism and enact new policies and procedures.

Interim Superintendent Mark Delaney said in an email to families on Wednesday that school officials conducted an investigation in partnership with police and found evidence that a district custodian is responsible for the graffiti.

Francis Howell High School Principal Dave Wedlock said in an email to families that the graffiti found in school restrooms was quickly removed after a student reported it to administrators.

The announcement comes after the killing of Charlie Kirk, the leader of the right-wing group that is popular across the nation's college campuses.

The district said it’s down more than 10% of its driving workforce, which includes 31 vacant full-time positions.

A spokesperson for Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s office confirmed the office will be reviewing the nearly $230,000 payout to former Superintendent Mike Dominguez, who resigned from the district weeks before the start of the school year.

School board President Steven Blair said in a statement that Mike Dominguez had resigned “to pursue opportunities that better align with the current needs of his family."

Board member Jane Puszkar asked a consultant to review the district’s library books for age-inappropriate content without school board or district approval, according to a letter sent by the district’s former superintendent.

The school board races signal a desire from voters to move past some of the culture war issues the districts have faced in recent years.

Leadership changes in two St. Louis-area districts come as they navigate post-pandemic relief budget shortfalls and increased scrutiny over curriculum.