(AP Photo/Chicago Tribune, Bill Hogan)

Three hundred public school professionals from districts throughout the state descended on schools throughout the St. Louis School District over several days last April and May.

They were teachers, principals, superintendents, librarians, counselors, technology advisers and special education…

Superintendent Kelvin Adams meets with students at McKinley Classical Junior Academy in 2008. Emily Rasinski | Post-Dispatch

When classes begin Aug. 20, some 1,300 students in five of the St. Louis Public Schools’ 51 elementary schools will embark on an even…

Rick Sullivan (right) talks with parents and teachers at a meeting in 2007. Huy Richard Mach | Post-Dispatch

Gov. Jay Nixon is a key figure in the stability of St. Louis Public Schools. There’s no avoiding it — the district’s hard-fought battle…

Martin Mathews with Metro High School's varsity basketball team in 2008

If you doubt that Martin Mathews — co-founder of the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club — still has clout at age 84, ask Vice President Joe Biden, who swung by the…

Richard Gaines and Kelvin Adams meet with Editorial Page Editor Gilbert Bailon and other Post-Dispatch staff. Eddie Roth/Post-Dispatch

Kelvin Adams, the new superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools, said he knows from experience that the closing of a school building…

Huy R. Mach | Post-Dispatch

There are good reasons to doubt whether Missouri gubernatorial candidates Jay Nixon and Kenny Hulshof understand the deep problems that long have plagued St. Louis Public Schools.

Both men have plenty to say about education policy and throw…

The “new” Vashon High School, which opened in 2002, was a fitting venue for the public introduction last Tuesday of the three candidates vying to become St. Louis’ next schools superintendent.

Vashon is in one of the toughest parts of the…