The St. Louis Voices Academy of Media Art, a charter school located on Olive Street downtown, was recently ordered to immediately stop in-person instruction by its authorizing commission. The decision came due to serious safety and security concerns raised by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission.
This order affects all 174 students at the school, who will not return to their downtown campus after the Thanksgiving break. The closure follows a series of issues that were identified during a safety audit conducted by former St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, who now works as a security consultant.
Key Issues Identified
The commission cited several critical problems with the school’s emergency preparedness, security, and supervision protocols. These include:
- Missing door alarms on some exterior doors.
- Inadequate and unmonitored surveillance systems.
- An incident last month where an 8-year-old student was able to leave the school premises and roam away for at least an hour before being noticed.
The state commission placed the school on probation on November 17 and required the school to submit a safety plan by Monday. However, the following day, the commission determined that the submitted plan was insufficient.
Chester Asher, who represents the education advocacy group Coalition with STL Kids, acknowledged the need for accountability. He stated:
"I mean, it's always unfortunate," Asher said. "Closing the school creates disruption with our kids and interrupts their learning. And so on one hand, you know, very sad for the families and the students and the teachers, administrators. On the other hand, you know, accountability is part of why charter schools were started in the first place."
Asher emphasized that the commission had to act on the clear safety risks. "If a charter school is not performing, if there are safety concerns, you know it will get shut down," he continued.
Beyond the immediate security threats, the school has also been experiencing declining enrollment and staff shortages. Asher noted that accountability can be difficult but necessary.
"There has to be accountability and sometimes that accountability is not easy, is not convenient, but sometimes this is what accountability looks like," he said.
Temporary Measures and Next Steps
The St. Louis Voices Academy of Media Art will be permitted to shift to virtual instruction temporarily. The commission has also indicated it will work with families who want to transfer their children to other schools. Additionally, the academy will be given time to fix its security measures before the commission considers closing the school permanently.
School leaders have stated they will provide further comments on the situation at a later date.
Impact on Students and Families
The sudden closure has caused significant disruption for students and families. Many are now facing uncertainty about their educational future. While the transition to virtual learning may help mitigate some of the immediate effects, it is unclear how effective this approach will be in the long term.
For families, the decision to close the school raises concerns about the quality of education and the safety of their children. It also highlights the challenges that charter schools face in maintaining high standards of operation and accountability.
Looking Ahead
As the school works to address the safety concerns raised by the commission, the community remains watchful. The situation underscores the importance of transparency and proactive measures in ensuring the well-being of students and staff.
The outcome of this situation could serve as a precedent for other charter schools facing similar challenges. It also emphasizes the need for continuous evaluation and improvement in educational institutions.
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