ST. LOUIS – Gateway Stem High School’s library was overflowing for Tuesday evening’s SLPS board meeting, as attendees eager to understand the system’s current progress as they rebuild after a year that dismantled the establishment.

School officials say growth and achievement are all moving in the right direction, with increased MPI and DESE scores for some student groups in all areas: English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.

Another major challenge for St. Louis educators to tackle: 1-in-4 students are missing a significant portion of school days; overall, an improvement from the pandemic era’s 30% that were chronically absent, but the system claims they’re on the right track.

“Many schools are still working on attendance post-COVID. We are still working on that as well,” Dr. Allison Deno, chief of schools for SLPS, said.

An independent audit recently exposed otherwise while investigating the finances of former Superintendent Keisha Scarlett after the board discovered alleged secret raises approved by her. And this was confirmed, finding 637 questionable transactions under Scarlett, totaling approximately 60% of those charges.

Graduation rates were also questioned, but the numbers were “not on hand.”

“St. Louis Public Schools does a really excellent job with that and DESE continues to tell us to keep it up because we are doing a great job of following up with our students after they leave.” Added Dr. Deno.

SLPS also plans to implement new learning technologies for students, with Microsoft’s Reading Progress among the ones proposed. And beginning in January, the Saturday Success Academy will offer critical interventions, tutoring, and support for high school students who need extra help staying on track for graduation.