State of Missouri temporarily closes charter high school in Kansas City, Mo., amid safety concerns

The state intervened at Hogan Preparatory Academy after reports of fighting and strangers entering the building during school hours.

Nov. 14, 2022

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Hogan Preparatory Academy, a charter school in Kansas City, Mo., has been ordered by the state to close its high school campus temporarily amid safety concerns.

The Missouri Charter Public School Commission notified the school Friday stating that its high school students will not be able to attend classes in person before Monday, Nov. 28, reports WDAF-TV.

Safety concerns included strangers entering the building during school hours and fights. The state also has raised concerns for retention of staff.

"[T]hese incidents are not a recent aberration," stated the letter from Robbyn Wahby, executive director of the charter public school commission. "Instead, they are indicative of an environment that has resulted in high rates of student suspension, and which has been consistently understaffed. These trends have affected the school staff: Many of them are considering resigning or not renewing employment contracts because of the concerns for their safety."

The state has given the school until Nov. 28 to come up with a safety plan.

Students will take part in virtual learning for the remainder of this week.