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Authorization of Mo. Baptist University to sponsor charter schools to be reviewed

(via Flickr/Lauren Manning)

The Missouri State Board will review Missouri Baptist University’s authorization to sponsor charter schools next month.

MBU holds four charters, which include six Imagine Academy schools in St. Louis.

The board will hold a public hearing April 16 in Jefferson City and is expected to a make a decision the next day.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spokeswoman Michelle Clark says the board has never revoked a sponsor or even held a public hearing.

“This will be the first time that a hearing has been called to review a sponsorship of a charter school and it is a procedure spelled out in state law," Clark said.

The Imagine Academies have come under fire for low academic performance at some of its schools, as well as high administrative costs and deficit spending.

Missouri Baptist University did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

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Maria is the newscast, business and education editor for St. Louis Public Radio.
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