ST. LOUIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ST. LOUIS — Leaders of St. Louis Public Schools are looking at a familiar solution to a looming budget crisis — permanently shutting down schools.

The district is on track to deplete $200 million in reserves within five years under the current pace of deficit spending. Enrollment is projected to continue falling by an additional 30% over the next decade, adding to the district's financial woes.

A recent report commissioned by SLPS suggests the district could save $182 million in maintenance costs over five years by closing 37 of its 68 buildings.

"These are the savings by not having to spend on building systems that have outlived their lifespan," Steve Raskin, of architecture firm Cordogan, Clark and Associates, said during a July school board meeting. "Those a

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