The air in St. Louis feels different lately. If you’ve been following the headlines, it’s basically a whirlwind of budget deficits, a literal tornado, and a school board that seems to change leadership as often as the Missouri weather. Everyone is talking about the St. Louis Public Schools closure plan, but honestly, the "plan" is more of a moving target than a set-in-stone document.
It’s messy. It’s stressful. And for parents in North St. Louis, it’s personal.
The 37-School Question
Let’s cut to the chase. In mid-2025, a bombshell report from the architectural firm Cordogan Clark hit the table. The proposal was staggering: closing 37 of the district’s 68 schools by the 2026-27 school year.
That is more than half.
Imagine walking through your neighborhood and seeing more "For Sale" or boarded-up signs on schools than open doors. The report suggested shutting down 27 elementary schools, five middle schools, and five high schools. Why? Because the district is built for 30,000 students but only about 18,000 show up.
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Math doesn't lie, but it sure is cold.
The logic is that the district would save roughly $182 million by 2031. But here’s the thing—people aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet. When you close a school, you're not just "optimizing a footprint." You’re tearing a hole in a neighborhood's safety net.
The "Tornado Effect" and Enrollment Drops
The May 2024 tornado wasn't just a weather event; it was a catalyst for this crisis. It wrecked several buildings, including historic ones like Sumner High. While the district scrambled to "co-locate" students—fancy talk for doubling up two schools in one building—the long-term damage was done.
Families left.
Estimates suggest the district could lose another 2,000 students just because of the displacement from that storm. When you combine that with a 10-year projected enrollment drop of 30%, you start to see why the board is panicking.
But panicking rarely leads to good policy.
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Critics, including Ray Cummings of the American Federation of Teachers Local 420, have been pretty vocal about this. He basically called the proposal "putting the cart before the horse." He’s right. How do you plan to close half your schools when families are still trying to find a place to sleep after a disaster?
Accreditation Dramas and Leadership Gaps
Just when you think it couldn't get more complicated, the state stepped in. As of January 2026, the Missouri State Board of Education officially downgraded SLPS to "provisional accreditation."
It wasn’t just about test scores.
The state was livid because the district missed its financial audit deadline. State Commissioner Karla Eslinger tried to play it down, saying the "provisional" tag wouldn't immediately change funding or expand charter schools, but the optics are terrible. It signals a lack of control at the top.
Speaking of the top—who is even in charge?
In late 2025, Superintendent Millicent Borishade was fired after just a short stint. She was replaced by interim leader Millicent Barry, who is now the fifth person to lead the district in less than three years. It’s hard to have a "closure plan" when the person holding the pen keeps getting replaced.
What This Means for Your Neighborhood
If you live in St. Louis, you've probably noticed a pattern. The schools on the chopping block are overwhelmingly in the Northside. These are areas already struggling with vacancy and divestment.
- Property Values: A vacant school is a magnet for trouble. It brings down the value of every house on the block.
- The Charter Creep: Many fear that closing traditional public schools is just a slow-motion handoff to charter schools.
- Logistics: We’re talking about kids who used to walk to school now having to take two buses. In a city where transportation is already "sorta" reliable at best, that’s a huge barrier.
The 2022 bond measure—a massive $160 million fund—was supposed to fix these buildings. Voters approved it by 87%. Now, people are asking: "Where's the money, and why are we closing the buildings we promised to fix?"
What’s Actually Happening Right Now?
Despite the "37 schools" headline, nothing is finalized. The district is currently in a "listening" phase, though many parents say these sessions feel like they're just for show.
The board has a lot of soul-searching to do before the 2026-27 school year kicks off.
They have to balance a $42 million first-year savings goal against the reality that closing a school often drives even more families to leave the city. It's a "death spiral" that’s hard to pull out of.
Actionable Steps for St. Louis Families
Don't just wait for the mailer to arrive telling you your school is gone. The St. Louis Public Schools closure plan is still being shaped by public pressure.
1. Check the Co-Location Status
If your child's school was hit by the tornado, make sure you know where they are supposed to be. For example, Sumner students were moved to Stevens Middle, and Soldan High moved into Gateway STEM. These aren't permanent, and "temporary" often becomes "forever" in school board speak.
2. Show Up to the April Meetings
The Missouri State Board has demanded more information by their April 2026 meeting. This is a crucial window. If the district can't prove they have a handle on their finances and their facilities, the state could take even more drastic measures.
3. Watch the School Board Elections
Two seats on the SLPS board are up for election in April 2026. This is your chance to vote for people who actually have a vision beyond just "shut it all down." Look for candidates who talk about "Community Schools"—models where the building serves as a health clinic and neighborhood hub, not just a classroom.
4. Demand Transparency on the 2022 Bond
Ask where that $160 million is. If a school in your neighborhood was slated for upgrades but is now slated for closure, someone needs to explain where those tax dollars are going instead.
The situation is fluid, and frankly, it's a bit of a mess. But the more the community stays loud, the harder it is for the board to make these decisions in a vacuum. Keep your eyes on the board agendas and don't let the "provisional" status become an excuse for permanent decline.