First state audit on St. Louis Public Schools to be released Tuesday

ST. LOUIS - A state audit into St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) is set to be released Tuesday, focusing on the district's spending and hiring practices during a controversial year under former superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett.

The first of two anticipated audits is expected to be released Tuesday and stems from controversy under Scarlett, who was fired last fall after just a year on the job. The State Auditor's Office initiated the inquiry last August in response to the financial discrepancies.

The audit is expected to reveal significant issues, including a financial shift from a $17 million surplus to a $35 million deficit under Scarlett's leadership. Millions were spent on outside consultants, some linked to Scarlett's previous district in Seattle, and questionable credit card charges were made for travel, food, and entertainment without board approval.

FOX 2 has previously reported that the audit found secretive raises, unauthorized salary structures, and at least $150,000 in questionable transactions, including payments to an immigration attorney for visa applications.

Despite the financial issues, the district's fund balance remains over $200 million, although deficits are expected to continue through next year, prompting officials to warn of upcoming cuts. The report is expected to also include recommendations that could lead to policy changes in hiring and financial oversight.

Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the main atrium of the Old Post Office Building on Olive Street to discuss the audit's findings.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.