Columbia Public Schools says no changes yet due to Covid-19

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools provided on update on Wednesday to parents about its plans regarding the nationwide spread of the novel coronavirus.

The district said business will take place as usual on Thursday, following the University of Missouri's announcement that all in-person classes would take place online starting next week.

An email from CPS superintendent Dr. Peter Stiepleman said it was working with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on "alternative methods of instruction." Stiepleman said CPS teachers were preparing should any alternative be necessary.

The Wednesday email said any changes to school activities would be made at the district level.

There have been no positive cases in Boone County of Covid 19, the unique strain of the coronavirus at the center of the spread the World Health Organization called a pandemic on Wednesday. Only one person has tested positive for the disease in the state, a woman in her 20s living in St. Louis County.

Stiepleman told the board of education on Monday about the district's cleaning habits and communication with state and federal health officials. Stiepleman said the district focuses on cleaning often touched surfaces, such as door knobs.