Missouri Auditor Report Details St. Louis Public Schools’ Struggles with Vacant Buildings
A recent audit by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick found that St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) has struggled significantly to manage, advertise, and sell its numerous vacant school buildings. Many of these properties have remained empty for over two decades,…
St. Louis, MO, August 27, 2026 — A recent audit conducted by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has identified significant management challenges within St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) concerning its portfolio of vacant school buildings. The report indicates a persistent struggle by the district in effectively managing, advertising, and ultimately selling these underutilized properties.
According to the audit findings, a considerable number of these school buildings have been vacant for more than twenty years. This prolonged period of emptiness has reportedly resulted in substantial neglect of the properties, leading to increased financial burdens for the district. Furthermore, the presence of these vacant structures contributes to urban blight within the city.
The audit specifically pointed out instances of non-compliance with state laws pertaining to the sale of real property. It also detailed a deficiency in the methods used for advertising available properties and highlighted inadequate oversight in property management practices. These shortcomings have reportedly resulted in funds that could have been allocated to educational initiatives or essential operational maintenance being diverted to manage the upkeep of these empty buildings.
The auditor’s office has made these findings public, shedding light on the operational inefficiencies that have impacted St. Louis Public Schools’ financial resources and its ability to maintain its existing infrastructure and educational programs. The full scope of the diverted funds and the exact number of properties affected were not detailed in the summary provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Hiba Ahmad on www.stlpr.org, see more information here.
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