Dr. Myra Berry, who had been serving as St. Louis Public Schools’ interim chief of human resources, was formally introduced Monday as the district’s interim superintendent.
Her appointment came three days after the school board voted to terminate Superintendent Millicent Borishade “without cause” following a five-hour closed session on Oct. 17.
Because of that designation, the school baord will pay Borishade $475,000 in salary. Board President Karen Collins-Adams said the financial cost was justified to “move the district in a more positive direction.”
“It was a sound decision,” Collins-Adams said. “There was not one significant thing” that led to Borishade’s dismissal, she said. “Discussions at board meetings and with the community had become rather intense. The board listened. The board concluded that a change in leadership is necessary to move the district forward and strengthen confidence in its future direction.”
A veteran educator steps in
The St. Louis Public School district is largely African American and socieconomically disadvantaged. Berry has worked in the district for more than 20 years in a range of teaching and leadership roles. She promised to “keep students at the center of every decision that is made. I have no illusions to the challenges we face today and in the future.”
The district is confronting a budget shortfall after posting a surplus when former Superintendent Keisha Scarlett took over in July 2023. Enrollment continues to decline, and officials must soon decide which neighborhood schools will close and how to better use available classroom space.
Berry said she will focus on restoring confidence.
“We will not be defined by the narrative of others. We will establish trust. The city is rooting for us. Together, we can move SLPS forward,” she said.
Collins-Adams described Berry as “a homegrown steward of our mission.”
“Her commitment is not theoretical. She understands our challenges firsthand,” she said
Berry began her SLPS career as a special education teacher at Turner Middle School in the Ville neighborhood, later teaching at Clark Elementary. She went on to serve as an instructional coach at Peabody Elementary, principal at Lexington Elementary and director of performance management in the district’s human resources department.
She became interim chief of human resources in 2023.
Union backs new leadership
The American Federation of Teachers Local 420 expressed support for Berry’s appointment.
“Rather than looking in the rear-view mirror, we prefer to turn the page,” said spokesperson Byron Clemens, reading a statement from union President Ray Cummings.
More than 2,000 teachers and staff signed a petition of no confidence in Borishade before her dismissal. Union leaders had criticized her proposal to close nearly half of district schools without consulting staff representatives.
Clemens said the union will work with Berry to determine which tornado-damaged schools can reopen soon and which may need to close.
Leadership turmoil
Borishade’s departure marks the district’s second superintendent firing in two years. Scarlett was dismissed last summer amid reports of reckless spending, excessive travel and unapproved hiring practices.
Borishade, one of Scarlett’s earlier hires, came to St. Louis from Washington state, where she had received a vote of no confidence from teachers and staff. A state audit later found that Scarlett had granted salaries and raises to her top aides beyond the SLPS pay scale and without board approval.
As deputy superintendent, Borishade earned $230,000 — $44,000 above the district’s maximum. She was later named interim superintendent, then made permanent before the April 2024 board election with the backing of then-President Toni Cousins and Vice President Matt Davis. Both left the board after the election.
Board split and resignation
Shortly before Monday’s press conference, board member Ben Conover resigned in protest of Borishade’s firing.
“Unfortunately, this progress is being undermined by the Board’s duplicitous leadership and reckless actions which I cannot abide,” he wrote in his resignation letter. “I have serious concerns about the conduct of the Board President and Vice President, whose actions I believe have compromised the Board’s integrity and go against its responsibility to act in the public interest.”
Collins-Adams and other board members said they “disagree with his characterization of events and decisions.” The board will now work to name a replacement.
Collins-Adams said a national search will begin for a permanent superintendent. Berry did not comment on whether she would seek the permanent position.
“The board is united,” Berry said. “We will hold ourselves accountable and be transparent. It is what the community wants.”
I can not believe Ray is still the president of the union