Students

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.

The American Federation of Teachers Local 420 offered alternative ideas to shutting down buildings in St. Louis Public Schools during a summit on Wednesday, but did not discuss how new programs and schools would be funded.

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.

After suspending Superintendent Patrick Shelton, the Edwardsville District 7 Board of Education said in a statement that it was confident in acting Superintendent Allen Duncan's ability to lead the district.

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 Reimagining SLPS community events are meant to inform families, teachers and community stakeholders about the district’s effort to consolidate its buildings due to declining enrollment and high cost repairs.

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.

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick gave the school district a poor rating after a review of its finances, hiring and contract procurement protocols during the last school year. The district says it has already implemented new measures to effectively monitor its finances.

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.

The Trump administration proposed funding cuts for the early childhood education program earlier this year but later walked back the plan.