-->

UCM to phase out charter school sponsorship program

The University of Central Missouri announced it will be ending its sponsorship of charter schools, a decision that will impact a number of Kansas City area schools. The university said it continue to work with schools as they transition to new sponsors, and will not end the program until June 2022.

The University of Central Missouri is moving away from sponsoring charter schools, which will affect seven schools in the Kansas City area.

The university made the decision public on Thursday, saying it will end the sponsorships by June 30, 2022. It will continue to work with the schools until they transition to new sponsors.

A release from the school said the Board of Governors made the decision to “more closely align its resources to pursue its mission, which is focused on providing a quality post-secondary education to students in Missouri and beyond.”

Charter school sponsorships provide oversight for academics, finance, governance and operations and is required by Missouri state law for the schools to operate.

The seven schools affected by UCM’s decision include Academie Lafayette, Crossroads Charter Schools, Gordon Parks Elementary School, Guadalupe Centers Schools, Hope Leadership Academy, Kansas City International Academy and Scuola Vita Nuova.

Potential new sponsors will meet with the school boards to discuss possible transitions.