ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Public School District Board of Education has appointed a new district leader after voting to fire Millicent Borishade in a closed meeting Friday, according to a district spokesperson.
Myra Berry, the district’s current interim chief of Human Resources, will temporarily replace Borishade until a new superintendent is named. She is the fifth district leader in less than three years.
“Following thorough consideration and discussion, the Board concluded that a change in leadership is necessary to move the district forward and strengthen confidence in its future direction,” reads a district statement released Friday. “To lead the district during this transition, the board has appointed Dr. Myra Berry… Berry will provide study leadership while the district enters its next chapter.”
Berry has held a variety of roles within the district, including elementary school principal and special education teacher. Berry became interim chief of Human Resources in 2023, working in the leadership cabinets of Borishade and Borishade’s predecessor, Keisha Scarlett—who faced scrutiny for questionable spending and hiring practices and was fired after a year on the job.
Borishade was fired less than a year after the board voted to name her superintendent, thought district has not provided a reason for her termination.
In an email Saturday, officials said they will provide details on the leadership transition Monday afternoon.
Officials also announced the postponement of a community engagement series planned for Monday evening. The Reimagining SLPS event was slated to include a comment from Borishade, former superintendent, about her proposal to close more than half of the district’s schools due to tornado damage.
“SLPS continues to deeply value the contributions of the community and stakeholders in shaping the future of our district,” the announcement reads. “We look forward to reengaging to focus on that future and ensuring that our young people continue to have access to schools that provide a high-quality education in a safe, productive environment.”