51黑料

ST. LOUIS 鈥� Keisha Scarlett plans to appeal her termination after serving one year as superintendent of 51黑料 Public Schools.

鈥淚 did nothing wrong. My leadership decisions were always made to benefit our students and community,鈥� Scarlett wrote in a statement Tuesday. 鈥淏oth I and the dedicated professionals who uprooted their lives to serve this community have been treated unfairly.鈥�

The school board voted unanimously to terminate Scarlett鈥檚 contract for cause, president Antionette 鈥淭oni鈥� Cousins said at the board meeting Tuesday.

Scarlett, 50, was hired from Seattle Public Schools in July 2023 under a three-year contract with 51黑料 Public Schools. She was suspended July 25 in the wake of revelations that the new SLPS communications director planned to split her time between Texas and 51黑料 while earning a $200,000 salary.

She and her attorney, Sherry Culves of Atlanta, did not respond Wednesday to interview requests.

The school board has not revealed the results of the investigation except to say that it centered on Scarlett鈥檚 hiring and spending practices. The board has repeatedly refused to release the name of the firm that conducted the two-month investigation, or the cost to the school district.

Scarlett鈥檚 annual salary was $268,000. If the board had fired her without cause, she would be entitled to a severance payment of one year鈥檚 salary and health insurance.

In her statement, Scarlett said the board 鈥渃onducted a secret investigation, never informing me of its scope or asking for my input. To be clear, I have never been contacted or interviewed by anyone on behalf of the Board and have not been told the reasons for their actions.鈥�

In the last year, the board approved most of the $3 million in contracts and salaries that were awarded to Scarlett鈥檚 former colleagues from Seattle.

鈥淲hen I arrived, the administration was in crisis with significant operational problems, student service deficiencies, and staff compensation disparities. After several external studies and audits, I focused on redistributing resources to support our mission more equitably. I communicated regularly with the Board about these needed changes,鈥� Scarlett鈥檚 statement reads.

By contesting the termination, Scarlett is entitled to a closed hearing in front of the school board within 10 to 30 days, according to her contract. She will remain on paid leave until the hearing date and earn up to $67,000 since her suspension July 25.

At the hearing, Scarlett and the board can introduce documents and witnesses to support their case. Lawyers for each side can cross-examine the witnesses.

鈥淭he (school board) shall have the burden of proof, by submission of substantial and competent evidence, to establish cause for the proposed termination,鈥� the contract reads.

At the hearing, if a board majority votes to confirm Scarlett鈥檚 termination she can then pursue legal action.

In her statement, Scarlett highlighted several accomplishments during her one-year tenure.

The $4.5 million 鈥淟iteracy for the Lou鈥� initiative launched in January and included upgrades to all SLPS libraries, thousands of new books for classrooms and homes, teacher training and reading incentives for students. Teachers were awarded the largest raises in nearly 20 years under a new union contract that started in July.

But Scarlett鈥檚 claim of the 鈥渓argest enrollment increase in decades鈥� was based on inflated numbers from her deputy and now acting superintendent, Millicent Borishade.

Borishade in August said that enrollment was projected to reach 19,480, an increase of 1,150 students over last year that would have erased decades of decline.

At the board meeting Tuesday, Borishade said enrollment stands at 18,025 students, more than 300 fewer than last year. Borishade has not responded to multiple inquiries about the discrepancy.