ST. LOUIS — At least three staff members at St. Louis Public Schools will receive disciplinary hearings this week following a contentious meeting with Superintendent Millicent Borishade.
At two staff meetings on Friday, Borishade introduced new administrators and discussed the district’s finances, academics and plans to close schools in 2026.
The second meeting at Roosevelt High School was disrupted when Borishade discussed cuts to the district’s newcomer programs for immigrant and refugee students. District leaders say starting next fall, students can attend a maximum of one year in the programs at three schools that currently have 885 students in kindergarten through 10th grade.
A group of teachers and staff from Nahed Chapman New American Academy walked out of the meeting in protest, as heard in recordings obtained by the Post-Dispatch.
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The invitations to discipline meetings did not list a reason but were sent to staff members who asked questions of Borishade or walked out.
“It’s horrifying and the retaliation is real,†said Andrea Thavorides, a social worker who resigned from Chapman last year over concerns about the school district’s leadership.
“Disciplinary matters are local in nature. Whatever the nature of such meetings, if they are scheduled, they generally occur throughout the district and usually not at the direction of the SLPS Central office,†said Charles Poole, who started as the district’s executive director of communications this month, in a statement.
One of the disciplinary meeting invites was sent by Sheila Sherman, an assistant superintendent who has Chapman in the network of schools she oversees. Myra Berry, chief of human resources operations, was copied on the email.
Borishade said the point of limiting the newcomer program to one year is to integrate students into general education classrooms more quickly.
“Our students deserve the same access to all programs. Our students who are immigrants deserve to be treated like first-class citizens each and every day,†Borishade said in the staff meeting.
But Thavorides said limiting the program would be disastrous for many students, especially teenagers who arrive with little to no English knowledge and teachers who are not trained in English as a second language.
“It’s absolutely nonsensical. You’re taking away supports these students need to succeed,†she said. “I don’t even understand what is going to be the benefit of this plan. We need to support the newcomers. This is what our city is all about.â€
Poole, the district spokesman, said some staff have different views on how to help students develop English skills.
“In time, we know we’ll work together to improve opportunities for our students in the most effective way, which is what is in the best interest of students,†he said.
At the staff meeting, Borishade told a story about her experience immigrating from West Africa to the Chicago area as a child.
“I was made fun of because I said ‘electric city’ instead of ‘electricity,’†Borishade said.
Borishade said she disagrees with the suburban Chicago school district’s decision to place her older brother in a separate classroom for English learners.
“He knew the language,†she said. “He needed to be around peers who spoke more English than we did at home.â€
The newcomer program changes will be outlined Tuesday at the SLPS board meeting.
“Full access to the grade-appropriate core curriculum and elective course offerings while using appropriate linguistic supports is critical,†reads the presentation from the academics department.
Borishade was named permanent superintendent last month to replace Keisha Scarlett, who was fired after an investigation of her spending and hiring practices.
The school district is one of five statewide that have not turned in their mandated financial audit of fiscal 2024 that was due to the state Dec. 31. A separate, comprehensive audit of SLPS by Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is still ongoing.
“Trust and believe that everybody is watching me, and I love it,†Borishade told her staff. “I’m fine with that.â€
Students at the Nahed Chapman New American Academy are immigrants and refugees who learn English along with other subjects at the school. Students Muhammad Alahmad, Florence Uwera and Kiza Ibrahim share their experiences.
