By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis schools interim superintendent William Roberti announced a plan to close more than a dozen schools. Most of the 16 are elementary schools located in north St. Louis. Officials say the closures could save the district more than $15 million. Roberti says at this point, no teachers are expected to be laid off but adds the same is not true for administrative personnel:
"This is a very difficult task that we've taken on here, and it's not easy talking about laying off people and closing schools," Roberti said. "But you know, at this point, this school district is spending $90 million more a year than it has, and that has to change."
Some schools could possibly reopen in a few years after city students now attending county schools as part of the desegregation settlement return to the district. The school board will vote on the consolidation plan on Tuesday.