KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Missouri commission votes to revoke the statute that allows a Kansas City charter school to operate.
Members of the Missouri Charter Public School Commission voted 6-1 Wednesday to revoke Genesis School’s charter, effective June 30, 2023. The State Board of Education has the final say in the decision.
Genesis says its board is exploring all options, including appealing the decision to the State Board of Education and other legal avenues.
The Missouri Charter Public School Commission said it made the decision to revoke Genesis School’s charter based on evidence that it is underperforming and has struggled during three of the past four school years. He also claims that Genesis failed to successfully prepare students for college for years.
In a statement posted online, Genesis School says the voting results are disappointing.
While the commission presented data showing only 13 percent of students performed at grade level or above in English and math during the 2021-22 school year, Genesis says the data doesn’t show the whole picture.
Proper analysis of Genesis data during the contract clearly shows improved academic performance, in contrast to state and local post-pandemic trends. Genesis met the conditions approved by the State Council at its renewal in 2020, despite the pandemic. Since the renewal, our academic results show growth and improvement, despite an unprecedented pandemic. Growth and improvement from pre-pandemic levels are not common within KC, state or nation.
Genesis school statement
Genesis also claims that closing the school is a violation of the contract between the Missouri Charter Public School Commission and the school board. Genesis signed a new contract with the board in July. The contract extends the school’s charter until 2025.
Ultimately, Genesis School says the Charter Commission is required to sponsor schools that serve at-risk students.
“This Commissioners trial has been neither fair nor focused on the best interests of the students Genesis serves. The board continues to seek ways for the institution to continue to serve the needs of students, families and communities,” Genesis School said in a statement.
