Columbia learning center fights to keep state license

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mary Lee Johnston Community Learning Center in Columbia is working to keep its license and government subsidies.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has proposed to revoke the center's license. It is still unclear why the department took action to do so.

According to a statement from a spokesperson from the Department of Social Services, the department ended its subsidy contract with the center as a result of the state's actions to revoke the license.

ABC 17 News asked the Department of Social Services if the center will continue receiving subsidies while it appeals its license revocation, but did not get an immediate response.

Staff at the learning center said one of its board members wrote a petition online asking both departments to reconsider their decisions.

According to that petition, the Center will lose the subsidies on March 19, impacting 33 families and 40 children.

ABC 17 News asked the Department of Health and Senior Services for a copy of the revocation letter but has not received a copy.