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Kimberly Townsend opened The Leadership School in fall 2022 in two converted warehouses between St. Charles Rock Road and Page Avenue in Pagedale.

鈥淗er leadership, with the support of TLS families and staff through the pandemic and the uncertainties of a new school, has been nothing short of remarkable,鈥� reads a from the school鈥檚 four board members announcing Townsend鈥檚 departure.

"I am honored to have led the school from its inception, creating a space where student leadership is at the center of learning," Townsend said. "I do not take lightly the faith entrusted to our team and me. The next five months, I will continue to work at TLS to ensure that our student leaders have a successful school year and that the organization is well-prepared to move into its next phase."

This year, the charter school has 152 students in kindergarten through third grades. The school expects to add a grade each year and grow to 450 students through eighth grade.

Courtney Moulder and Keisha Seymour will be co-executive directors starting next year, according to the board鈥檚 letter.

鈥淲e are excited by this opportunity to join The Leadership School community and carry on the legacy of Dr. Townsend,鈥� Moulder and Seymour said in a statement. 鈥淥ur goal has been to work with the community to build a school that responds to the expressed needs of families, and that is precisely how TLS was designed and how it will continue to serve our students, families, and staff.鈥�

Moulder and Seymour have also applied with the state to open Spark Academy, a middle school charter in 51黑料 city in the 2025-2026 school year. The Leadership School and Spark Academy are supported by charter school funder Opportunity Trust.

Moulder and Seymour did not respond to questions about the status of Spark Academy.

Charter schools are taxpayer-funded but operate independently of the school district. Under state law, charters can open in 51黑料, Kansas City and other districts that persistently fall below state standards, including the Normandy Schools Collaborative.

Before it opened, the Leadership School faced organized opposition led by the 24:1 Municipal Partnership, elected officials who said the school would siphon students and tax dollars making it more difficult for Normandy to improve its schools.

Last fall, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education identified the Leadership School as financially stressed after ending the fiscal year in June with a fund balance of 2.3%, below the minimum 3% required by state law. The designation comes with increased financial monitoring from the state and the school鈥檚 sponsor, the Missouri Charter Public School Commission.

The Leadership School鈥檚 current budget anticipates a fund balance of 7% and 24 days of cash on hand for the fiscal year ending in June.

Edited to add statement from Townsend.