4/15/25 -- Dr. Don Senti was a educator and leader in Parkway, where he served as superintendent from 1988 to 1995 and again as interim superintendent in 2010-11. His career in Parkway began in the classroom and spanned decades of service to students, staff, and the broader community. Below is the obituary shared by his family: 

Dr. Donald Milton Senti, known as Don to his friends and family, was a devoted educator, compassionate leader, and beloved member of the St. Louis community. Born on December 5, 1944, in Hutchinson, Kansas, he passed away on April 6, 2025, at the age of 80 in Wichita, Kansas. His presence left a lasting imprint on the lives of countless students, colleagues, friends, family, and loved ones.

Don’s journey in education began long before he stepped into his first classroom. He graduated from Pratt High School in Pratt, Kansas, in 1962. During his time at Pratt High, he played tennis and trumpet (his favorite song to play was Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”). He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas (KU) in 1966. During his first year teaching at a middle school in Olathe, Kansas, he also completed his Master’s degree at KU. Later, he furthered his expertise by earning an Ed.D. from St. Louis University.

Don began his focused commitment to education in 1969, just four days after completing his service in the U.S. Navy. He stepped into a 7th-grade classroom at Parkway School District and never looked back. Over the next 26 years, he served in many roles across the district, including superintendent. He passionately supported the Parkway community through both everyday challenges and extraordinary moments. Through it all, Don was a source of calm. He was always grounded in his belief in the power of public education to uplift and unite.

In 1995, Don became Superintendent of the School District of Clayton, where he served for 15 years. His leadership helped shape the vision behind the Center of Clayton and guided the district through meaningful work ensuring that education could reach everyone—no matter their background, race, economic status, beliefs, or creed. Here, as he did in Parkway, he always praised his good fortune in having outstanding boards of directors.

Even after retiring from Clayton, Don’s passion for education never faded. From 2011 to 2016, he led EducationPlus (formerly Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis), continuing his mission of building collaboration across school communities and advocating for students throughout the region.

But Don Senti was so much more than the roles he held. He volunteered for the St. Louis Art Fair in Clayton and the Missouri History Museum, to name a couple. He found great joy in life’s simple moments—watching a sunset, enjoying frozen grapes, dinners with friends, and grilling on Sundays with family. He liked movies—but had one rule when it came to them: they had to have a happy ending. He was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, proudly sharing season tickets with friends, and never missed a Kansas Jayhawks basketball game. He often claimed his mood was decided by both teams’ win-loss columns.

Don’s legacy lives on in the people he inspired, the communities he strengthened, and the kindness he gave so freely: students, teachers, administrators, friends, and family.

He was preceded in death by his amazing mother and father (devoted educators themselves), Virginia Richard Senti and Milton Miller Senti.

He is loved, remembered, and survived by his sons, Bill (Elise) and Jim (Sarah) Senti, their mother, Pamela Morris Senti, his four grandchildren, his brother, Richard Senti, his nephew, Alex Senti, his life partner, Betsy Redfield, and many lifetime friends.

Don will be buried beside his parents in Pratt, at Greenlawn Cemetery. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, all are welcome to donate to OASIS at st-louis.oasisnet.org. Oasis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy aging and active lifestyles for older adults.