{"id":2322971,"date":"2024-08-12T09:13:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T13:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democratic-legislator-praises-gop-auditor-for-quick-review-of-st-louis-schools-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-12T09:18:33","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T13:18:33","slug":"democratic-legislator-praises-gop-auditor-for-quick-review-of-st-louis-schools-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democratic-legislator-praises-gop-auditor-for-quick-review-of-st-louis-schools-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Democratic legislator praises GOP auditor for quick review of St. Louis schools &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocratic-legislator-praises-gop-auditor-for-quick-review-of-st-louis-schools-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2322971&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-times-issues-multiple-corrections-for-article-falsely-claiming-900000-u-s-children-have-been-hospitalized-for-covid-19-during-pandemic\/\" title=\"New York Times Issues Multiple Corrections For Article Falsely Claiming 900,000 U.S. Children Have Been Hospitalized For COVID-19 During Pandemic\">article discusses<\/a> the recent announcement by Missouri Republican \u200bAuditor Scott Fitzpatrick regarding an audit of St.\u2063 Louis Public Schools, following multiple calls for scrutiny, including \u2064from Democratic state representative Donna Barringer.\u2062 Barringer, representing the western portion of the city, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-has-yet-to-call-israels-netanyahu\/\" title=\"Biden Has Yet To Call Israel\u2019s Netanyahu\">expressed gratitude<\/a> for \u200cthe swift action, \u2063emphasizing \u2062the urgent \u200dneed for oversight amidst concerns about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/san-francisco-officials-declare-acronyms-racist\/\" title=\"San Francisco Officials Declare Acronyms Racist\">school district&#8217;<\/a>s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nras-executive-vp-wayne-lapierre-resigns\/\" title=\"NRA&#039;s EVP Wayne LaPierre steps down\">financial\u200c mismanagement<\/a>. The district is facing a significant $35 million budget deficit after previously showing\u2063 a $17\u2064 million surplus, and Superintendent Keisha Scarlett has\u200d been placed on temporary leave. Barringer\u200b highlighted previous questionable contracts and the deteriorating conditions of \u200bschools in her district, stating that the situation has adversely affected the city and its \u2063residents, \u200bcontributing to population decline linked to crime and the state of local schools. She underscored\u2063 the imperative to address these issues for the sake of taxpayers and \u200cstudent welfare.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democratic legislator praises GOP auditor for quick review of St. Louis schools<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1727391\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Missouri Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick had St. Louis Public Schools on his list for this year and a Democratic state representative affirmed immediate examination.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Donna Barringer, whose district covers the western portion of the City of St. Louis, stood beside Fitzpatrick on Thursday as he announced an audit of the school district. Fitzpatrick said Barringer was the first official to request an audit by his office. He acknowledged St. Louis Democratic Mayor Tishaura Jones requested an audit along with many others, compelling him to start the audit next week.<\/p>\n<p>Late last month, one year after hiring Keisha Scarlett as superintendent, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-bombshell-mi-judge-grants-attorney-matt-deperno-permission-to-release-results-of-forensic-examination-on-16-dominion-voting-machines-in-antrim-co-video\/\" title=\"BREAKING BOMBSHELL: MI Judge Grants Attorney Matt DePerno Permission To RELEASE Results Of Forensic Examination On 16 Dominion Voting Machines In Antrim Co.[VIDEO]\">school board<\/a> placed her on temporary leave. The district faces a projected $35 million budget deficit after having a $17 million surplus.<\/p>\n<p>Several media outlets reported questionable contracts and hiring by Scarlett. The district&rsquo;s bus company terminated its contract with the district before the end of the school year and plans are being made to provide transportation of students with a wide range of vendors.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When this came out, it put our city 20 years backwards,&rdquo; Barringer said. &ldquo;And so we&rsquo;re going to have to work very diligently and I appreciate the auditor for what he&rsquo;s doing. This situation has put our city backwards and we&rsquo;ve got to fix this. This is not OK and taxpayers are very upset.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Barringer said the city&rsquo;s population is declining primarily due to crime and its schools. Reports of the district&rsquo;s financial mismanagement left her with many questions.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have some fantastic public schools in my district,&rdquo; said Barringer, formerly a city alderman and an executive director of a community improvement organization. &ldquo;But they all have lead windows, except for one. Why didn&rsquo;t the money go into fixing the schools for the health of the children? Why didn&rsquo;t the money go in to raise the pay of teachers? Why didn&rsquo;t the money go into transportation?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The school district audit comes as the city prosecuting attorney is being audited by Fitzpatrick. The state also is moving its offices from the city to St. Louis County.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I love St. Louis,&rdquo; Fitzpatrick said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re here for the people of St. Louis and we&rsquo;ll continue to be wherever needed &ndash; the school district or the justice center. St. Louis is one of the economic engines in the region and the biggest in the state. We want to make sure we&rsquo;re doing everything we can in the state auditor&rsquo;s office to help them find their way through the challenges they&rsquo;ve experienced.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Barringer expressed appreciation for Fitzpatrick&rsquo;s swift response to her request for the audit.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is not a time where we have time to spare,&rdquo; said Barringer, in her final months of her fourth and final term in the House. &ldquo;We have got to focus on what&rsquo;s in the best interest of the children and the citizens.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1727391\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1727391\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democratic lawmaker commends GOP auditor for prompt assessment of St. Louis schools (The Center Square) \u2013 Missouri Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick included St. Louis Public Schools in his audit agenda for this year, and Democratic state representative Donna Barringer supported the swift investigation. Barringer, representing the western area of St. Louis City, joined Fitzpatrick on Thursday as he announced the audit of the school district. Fitzpatrick noted that Barringer was the first official to request an audit from his office, while also acknowledging that St. Louis Democratic Mayor Tishaura Jones and several others had urged him to initiate it, prompting him to begin next week. Recently, following a year after hiring Keisha Scarlett as superintendent, the school board placed her on temporary leave amid concerns over a projected $35 million budget deficit after previously having a $17 million surplus. Reports have surfaced regarding questionable contracts and hiring practices under Scarlett&#8217;s leadership. Additionally, the district&#8217;s bus company ended its contract before the school year&#8217;s conclusion and is now seeking various vendors for student transportation services.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When this situation emerged, it set our city back 20 years,&#8221; Barringer stated. &#8220;We need to work diligently to address this issue; I appreciate what the auditor is doing because it&#8217;s crucial we rectify this situation\u2014it&#8217;s unacceptable and taxpayers are understandably upset.&#8221; She pointed out that crime and failing schools are contributing factors to the city&#8217;s declining population.<\/p>\n<p>Barringer raised concerns about financial mismanagement within the district: &#8220;I have excellent public schools in my area,&#8221; she said, noting that all but one have lead windows. &#8220;Why wasn&#8217;t funding allocated towards improving school facilities for children&#8217;s health? Why wasn&#8217;t there investment in increasing teacher salaries? Why didn&#8217;t we prioritize transportation?&#8221; The upcoming audit of the school district coincides with an ongoing audit of the city prosecuting attorney by Fitzpatrick\u2019s office as well as state offices relocating from downtown St. Louis to St. Louis County.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I love St. Louis,&#8221; remarked Fitzpatrick during his announcement about supporting local needs through audits at both educational institutions and justice centers alike since they play vital roles in regional economics\u2014the largest engine in Missouri\u2019s economy\u2014and he aims to assist them through their challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Barringer expressed gratitude for Fitzpatrick&#8217;s quick action regarding her request: &#8220;We don&#8217;t have time to waste right now,&#8221; she emphasized during her final months serving her fourth term in office; \u201cOur focus must be on what benefits children and citizens most.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2322972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/iStock-1488384336-1024x567.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[37876,37877,37879,37878],"class_list":["post-2322971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-democratic-legislator","tag-gop-auditor","tag-quick-review","tag-st-louis-schools"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/iStock-1488384336-1024x567.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2322971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2322971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2322971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2322972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2322971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2322971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2322971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}