School Closures

The board voted 6-1 to approve the relocation of students from seven schools that were damaged by the May 16 tornado to other buildings within the district.

The unions, including the American Federation of Teachers Local 420, say the St. Louis Board of Education is delaying bringing them into discussions after they voted 7-0 to do so during a work session two weeks ago. At least 12 schools were damaged during the May 16 tornado, resulting in over $1 million in damage, and seven of them will not be repaired in time for the first day of school on Aug. 18.

Seven public schools in north St. Louis were damaged during the May tornado. Sumner High School suffered significant roof damage and is closed this fall. Its alumni are worried that the district may prolong the repairs and that students may never return.

The district will have to redraw boundaries to better distribute students across its remaining buildings before the 2026-27 school year.

Superintendent Tanya Patton made the recommendation to the Board of Education due to the building’s high remodeling cost and declining student enrollment.

The district notified families on Tuesday that some storm-damaged schools will not be ready to reopen in time for the first day of school on Aug. 18.

The May 16 tornado damaged 12 buildings in the district, resulting in nearly $1.8 million in initial costs.

The archdiocese had previously moved to close the school in 2022 due to low student enrollment, but community support kept doors open.

The number of students heading to college is projected to decline after this fall. The financial impact is putting some Missouri institutions at risk.

School boards in the Ferguson-Florissant and Riverview Garden school districts retain most incumbent leaders to bring stability as they navigate financial uncertainty.