Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has announced that his office will begin an audit of the St. Louis Public School District (SLPS) starting Tuesday, August 13. The decision follows mounting calls from public officials and concerns from residents over the district’s management and financial practices.
Fitzpatrick clarified that while his office had already scheduled an audit of the SLPS for Fiscal Year 2025, the growing demand from both families and taxpayers prompted an expedited timeline. “This is a situation we’ve monitored closely and in fact already had this audit on our audit plan for Fiscal Year 2025,” said Fitzpatrick. “While we acknowledge the call made by public officials, the call we’re answering is from the families who are worried about the quality of the education their children will receive, and taxpayers who want to know if their tax dollars have been used responsibly.”
The audit aims to provide a thorough review of the district’s operations, shedding light on existing issues and offering a pathway for improvement. Fitzpatrick emphasized that the ultimate goal is to help the SLPS Board and school officials manage the district more efficiently and effectively.
This audit is part of Fitzpatrick’s broader initiative to increase transparency and accountability in Missouri’s public schools. Since taking office, Fitzpatrick has prioritized more frequent audits of school districts across the state. The SLPS audit will join three other ongoing school district audits: the Independence School District in Jackson County, the Kingston K-14 School District in Washington County, and the Francis Howell R-III School District in St. Charles County.
The push for an audit intensified last week after State Representative Donna Baringer and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones submitted formal requests. Mayor Jones’ request highlighted several areas of concern, including the district’s operating budget, which shifted from a $17 million surplus to a projected $35 million deficit. Additionally, Jones raised issues regarding contracts awarded without competitive bidding, potential conflicts of interest involving vendors linked to the suspended superintendent, and questionable staffing contracts.
While Fitzpatrick acknowledged these concerns, he noted that the scope of the audit will be determined after his office gathers preliminary information and assesses the district’s operations.
