Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: Trustees Approve Second Charter School Sponsorship
Trustees Approve Second Charter School Sponsorship
May 30, 2006
The Missouri Baptist University Board of Trustees gave initial approval for MBU to enter into a second sponsorship with a new St. Louis charter school at its spring meeting May 25.
The sponsorship with Imagine Academy of Environmental Science and Math, which is set to open at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, is now pending approval from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). According to state statutes, all charter schools must attain sponsorship though either the municipal or school government or a higher institution.
“The partnership with Imagine Schools represents a seminal opportunity for MBU,” said Dr. Alton Lacey, president of MBU. “It will extend the University's presence in the St. Louis downtown area through an association with a quality, like-minded organization."
MBU leaders are confident the relationship will generate unique educational opportunities. Among other things, Imagine Schools has indicated a willingness to construct 50,000 sq. feet of classrooms for MBU courses at the school’s downtown location. In addition, it is anticipated that Imagine’s location will allow MBU students the opportunity to complete internships, providing them with invaluable urban field experience.
Missouri Baptist University became approved earlier this year to sponsor its first charter school, E. H. Lyle Academy, which includes an Elementary, Middle, and High School located in the downtown St. Louis area.
Following the meeting, MBU Trustees joined a group of over 100 MBU students and employees to break ground for the MBU coffeehouse, a 3,000 sq. foot building that will be located adjacent to the Jung-Kellogg Library. The trendy structure will feature, among other things, a functional fireplace, flat screen televisions, a stage for regular performances and high-speed wireless Internet connection. The building will seat approximately 100 people with additional patio seating outside.
The building’s interior is expected to take on an eclectic, vintage ambiance, featuring unique furniture, and an unfinished vaulted ceiling that exposes the structure’s wooden trusses.
In other business:
• Humes and Barrington, L.L.P., a certified public accounting firm based in Kirkwood, Mo., was selected to complete MBU’s 2005-2006 financial aid audit.
• Several resolutions of appreciation were offered in honor of recent gifts to the University.
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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