FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JOHNNY LITTLE 314-345-2283

ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTS DR. PAMELA HUGHES AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

(December 21, 2004) - At a closed meeting on December 17, 2004, after being notified that the medical leave of Mr. Floyd Crues would be for an extended period of time, the Board of Education of the City of St. Louis appointed Dr. Pamela Randall Hughes as Interim Superintendent.

On November 15, 2004, Mr. Crues took a leave of absence from the Interim Superintendent position for medical reasons and has now notified the Board that his leave will be for an extended period of time. Pursuant to Board Regulations, the Deputy Superintendent acts as the Superintendent in the event of the absence or disability of the Superintendent. As the Deputy Superintendent of the School District, Dr. Hughes has been acting as the Interim Superintendent since November 16, 2004. The Board has declared it is in the best interest of the District to have an individual employed and actively holding the Interim Superintendent position, and thus authorized the preparation of a Separation Agreement with Mr. Crues consistent with the terms of the Employment Agreement between Mr. Crues and the Board, and appointed Dr. Hughes to the Interim Superintendent position. Dr. Hughes has been Deputy Superintendent for the St. Louis Public School District since August, 2004 and has a total of 15 years of educational experience. She has been a teacher, an instructional coordinator, a principal, and an executive director.

In addition to her wealth of experience, she brings strong educational credentials to the position. Dr. Hughes recently graduated from the Broad Academy for Urban Superintendents. She holds an Ed.D. in Education Administration from St. Louis University and a Master of Science Degree in Education Administration from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville.
She also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where she was an honors graduate. “Dr. Hughes demonstrates all the qualities we want and need in a leader who can continue to build on the educational excellence of the St. Louis Public Schools District,” said School Board President Darnetta Clinkscale. Dr. Hughes will occupy the Interim Superintendent position on a month to month basis, to allow for the hiring of a new Superintendent upon completion of the Committee’s search and recommendations to the Board.

At the December 17, 2004 meeting, the Board also approved an Organizational Chart presented by Dr. Hughes.