COLUMBIA — Leaders of a job training nonprofit in Columbia want to open the first charter school outside of Kansas City or the St. Louis area, drawing early opposition from local school districts.

The Missouri Charter Public School Commission will consider a request Thursday from Job Point, a career training and job placement organization based in Columbia, to apply for sponsorship of YouthBuild-Workforce Charter School.

The school would open in fall 2027, and serve high-risk students and dropouts by providing vocational training and an alternative pathway to a high school diploma, according to a letter last month to the commission.

Local school districts opposed the expansion of charter schools to Boone County under a 2024 state law. Charter schools are government funded, but operate

See Full Page