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'Genesis broke its promises': Tensions rise during public hearing about future of Kansas City charter school

Genesis Charter School is fighting to stay open

'Genesis broke its promises': Tensions rise during public hearing about future of Kansas City charter school

Genesis Charter School is fighting to stay open

CALL 23623 450 150. IF YOU SEE HER. >> IN MISSOURI CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMISSION ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CLOSE THE GENESIS CHARTER SCHOOL. POOR ACADEMIC FORCES -- TESTING HAS FORCED THE HAND. WE ARE LIVE AT THE LIBRARY WHERE A PUBLIC HEARING JUST FINISHED UP. BRIAN. >> THE PLACE WAS PACKED WITH TEACHERS, VOLUNTEERS, FAMILY, THEY ALL FELT THE LIBRARY BECAUSE THEY WANT THE SCHOOL TO STAY OPEN TONIGHT. NO DECISION WAS MADE, BUT VOICES WERE HEARD. >> ABOUT 100 AND 20 PEOPLE CRAMMED IN WITH STANDING ROOM ONLY. AT STAKE IS THE LIFE OF A TRUCKER SCHOOL. >> GENESIS BROKE ITS PROMISES TO PERFORM. >> THE SCHOOL COMMISSION SAYS THAT GENESIS SCHOOL SHOULD CLOSE. IT’S A CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OUT -- -- KANSAS CITY SCHOOLS OUTPERFORM IT, AND FEW CHILDREN ARE AT GRADE LEVEL READING. >> THEY HAVE NOT MET THE PROMISE THAT THEY MADE IN THEIR CHARTER FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS. >> THINGS GOT HEATED SEVERAL TIMES. >> THERE WAS ENOUGH ORDER TO CONTINUE. >> THIS IS WHAT WE AGREED ON. >> THE SCHOOL’S ATTORNEY SAYS THAT THE COMMISSION HAS NOT FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURE. >> GENESIS IS PERFORMING BETTER THAN THE OTHER SCHOOLS WHERE THESE CHILDREN WILL END UP IF GENESIS IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THEM. >> GENESIS ADVOCATES SAY THAT THEY HELP THE CHILDREN. >> YOU PUT EMOTIONAL NEEDS FIRST. THESE ARE KIDS. >> FIRST YOUR PARENTS SAY THAT MY GENESIS. >> THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR GOING HERE, MY KIDS LIKE IT. >> BRIAN JOHNSON KMBC NINE NEWS. >> A DECISION FROM THE COMMISSION IS EXPECTED AT THE NEXT MEETING WHICH IS ON FEBRUARY 15. IF THE COMMISSION DECIDES TO REVOKE THE CHARTER FROM GENESIS, THE SCHOOL C
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'Genesis broke its promises': Tensions rise during public hearing about future of Kansas City charter school

Genesis Charter School is fighting to stay open

Genesis Charter School is fighting to stay open after the Missouri Charter Public School Commission announced its plans to close the school at the end of the year. A public hearing was held Monday night at the Kansas City Bluford Public Library. The meeting, which was packed with parents and patrons, was requested by Genesis School. Over 100 people crammed into the meeting. Robbyn Wahby, the executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Commission, said the school has underperformed. "Genesis broke its promises to perform," she said. "Their test scores have not met this promise, the promise that they made in their charter for at least 15 years."Only 13 percent of Genesis students K-8 read English at a grade level. The meeting got heated several times, but there was enough order to continue. The school's attorney says the commission hasn't followed the correct procedures to revoke the charter. "Genesis is performing better than the other schools where these children will end up if Genesis is not available to them," said Chuck Hatfield, the attorney for Genesis. A decision from the commission is expected at its next meeting on Feb. 15. If the commission revokes the charter from Genesis, the school can appeal to the Missouri State Board of Education and then to the circuit court.

Genesis Charter School is fighting to stay open after the Missouri Charter Public School Commission announced its plans to close the school at the end of the year.

A public hearing was held Monday night at the Kansas City Bluford Public Library.

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The meeting, which was packed with parents and patrons, was requested by Genesis School. Over 100 people crammed into the meeting.

Robbyn Wahby, the executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Commission, said the school has underperformed.

"Genesis broke its promises to perform," she said. "Their test scores have not met this promise, the promise that they made in their charter for at least 15 years."

Only 13 percent of Genesis students K-8 read English at a grade level.

The meeting got heated several times, but there was enough order to continue.

The school's attorney says the commission hasn't followed the correct procedures to revoke the charter.

"Genesis is performing better than the other schools where these children will end up if Genesis is not available to them," said Chuck Hatfield, the attorney for Genesis.

A decision from the commission is expected at its next meeting on Feb. 15.

If the commission revokes the charter from Genesis, the school can appeal to the Missouri State Board of Education and then to the circuit court.