St. Louis Public Schools has been in the spotlight recently for offering high salaries to out-of-town employees, with one example being Phoenix Jackson from Texas who was offered $200,000 a year to be the SLPS communications director. This raised concerns among the school board when they discovered that many out-of-town hires were being paid higher rates than ever seen before in the district.
Under the previous superintendent, Dr. Kelvin Adams, no salary reportedly exceeded $170,000 a year. However, when FOX 2 requested job offer letters under the Sunshine Law in August, it was found that 8 out of the 11 administrators were offered salaries exceeding $170,000, totaling more than $2 million.
Further investigation revealed that irregularities with high salaries were discovered by the board after the former superintendent attempted to push through raises immediately after the hires. Despite multiple requests for salary and raise figures, the district was hesitant to provide the information, indicating that HR details were private and requesting a payment of $52.88 for the records.
Attorney Elad Gross, who handles open records cases, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and delays in providing the requested information. He emphasized the importance of government entities responding within three days as required by law and advised individuals who feel they are being unlawfully denied records to file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
Despite the district’s request for payment, a source informed FOX 2 that the information on raises requested is included in a special audit report being delivered to the school board and expected to be released to the public soon. This development raises questions about the necessity of paying for information that will be made public shortly.
In the midst of this controversy, it is essential for the school district to prioritize transparency and accountability in its financial practices. The community and stakeholders have a right to know how public funds are being allocated and whether salaries and raises are justified. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial for St. Louis Public Schools to address concerns and ensure that proper procedures are followed to maintain trust and integrity in the administration.
