QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should students have access to phones while in school?
Columbia Public Schools earlier this month sent an email to families asking for help in keeping kids off their cellphones.
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Columbia teachers union says cellphone use is hindering learning in the classroom
Columbia Public Schools’ top official is asking parents to help keep kids off their cellphones while in school.
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Discrimination lawsuit filed against CPS by middle school student, father
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A discrimination lawsuit was filed on Wednesday against Columbia Public Schools by a middle school student and her father. The lawsuit — which also names Oakland Middle School, its principal Jeff Mielke, teacher Vanessa Hickem and Superintendent Brian Yearwood – seeks damages, accusing CPS of negligent infliction of emotional distress and racial
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Charges filed against Hickman student accused of bringing gun to school
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Hickman High School student has been charged after police say he brought a gun to school on Monday. Shaun Lamont Jackson, 18, of Columbia, was charged on Tuesday with unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor marijuana possession. He was arrested on Monday and was released after posting a $2,000 bond.
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Columbia Board of Education meeting includes filing requirements for April candidates
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education included candidate filing requirements for the April election. Columbia Public Schools will start accepting candidacy fillings for any one who is interested in running for one of two positions. People who are interested can begin putting their name on the ballot at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5.
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Columbia Board of Education plans for future attendance as new schools are in the works
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Board of Education members on Wednesday night were presented with an update on the addition of three new schools being built within the district. According to Chief Operations Officer of Columbia Public Schools Randall Gooch, additions to Russell Boulevard and Battle elementary schools are on track to open at the start
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Hickman football coach Cedric Alvis steps down
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Hickman head football coach Cedric Alvis said he will resign from his spot leading the Kewpies. Alvis told the program in a Friday email obtained by ABC 17 News that he would resign from the role of head coach. Alvis said he has “not been able to meet the expectations of what
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Weapons incident on Monday marks 11th this year for Columbia Public Schools
After a Battle High School student was found with a weapon in their backpack Monday, ABC 17 submitted a records request to find out how many weapons incidents have occurred on Columbia Public School properties.
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Battle High School student found with weapon in backpack
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Battle High School student was found with a weapon in their backpack before entering school on Monday morning, according to an email sent to parents by Principal Alyssa Galbreath. ABC 17 News received a copy of the email from a Columbia Public Schools spokesperson. The type of weapon found was not
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Wayne Sells’ lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools dismissed
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Wayne Sells’ lawsuit involving the renaming of Rock Bridge’s football field was dismissed without prejudice on Wednesday. Lawyers for Sells and CPS have argued since 2021 if Columbia Public Schools had a legal contract with Sells after he provided Rock Bridge High School a $100,000 donation. That donation was used for improvements
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One student taken to hospital after CPS bus crash on Interstate 70
View a livestream of the scene in the web player above. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia Public Schools bus was involved in an accident Tuesday near Providence Road, north of Business Loop 70. CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said in an email that the crash occurred around 3:15 p.m. Baumstark later said in a second email
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Battle, Rock Bridge receive grants for esports gaming rooms, equipment
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) In a press release, the Columbia Public Schools Foundation announced a $37,956 grant for esports gaming rooms at Battle and Rock Bridge high schools. The Foundation board of directors announced the grant where the Rock Bridge and Battle E-Sports teams came together for a 3 vs. 3 scrimmage competition playing Rocket League.
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Columbia Board of Education reviews attendance reports, survey results
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s Board of Education held a work session Thursday going over data reports, survey results collected throughout the district and more. The meeting was at 7:30 a.m. at the Aslin Administration building. Dr. Helen Porter led the presentation of principal data reports from Battle Elementary School, West Boulevard Elementary School and Hickman
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Heart of Missouri United Way and MU Health to give out free books to first and second grade students
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Wednesday, the Heart of Missouri United way and MU Health Care delivered 2,600 Read Across Columbia books to Columbia Public Schools. The event was held from 9:30 a.m. till 11 a.m. at Benton Elementary School on Hinkson Ave. The collaboration between the organizations and school district provided 650 literacy bags for
Continue Reading CPS, Jefferson City School District awarded $300,000 from DESE school safety grant; Fulton Public Schools, Southern Boone get $200,000
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools and the Jefferson City School District were among the few schools to get the maximum amount of funding from the latest round of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education School Safety Grants. CPS and JCSD each received $300,000 for school safety improvements. Fulton Public schools was another area
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Columbia Board of Education ratifies School Safety Grant application at Monday night meeting
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education reviewed and ratifies its application for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education School Safety Grant during its Monday night meeting. CPS is requesting $300,000 from DESE to improve a number of security functions, according to the agenda. This is DESE’s Second round of grant funding, the
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New southwest Columbia elementary school looks at 2026 opening, will hold 650 students
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) At a Wednesday afternoon meeting, Columbia Public Schools officials said its new elementary school in southwest Columbia is expected to hold 650 students. Officials are expecting construction to be completed by early 2026 and for it to open the following fall. The construction is expected to cost about $44 million. A Columbia
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Columbia public schools to hold meet and greets with new school executives Monday night
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As part of Columbia Public School District’s new strategic plan, meet and greets will be held for families of students to meet the districts new Executive Director Leadership Team. The district will hold three separate meetings at three different high schools starting Monday. The first meeting will be held at Hickman High
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Columbia Board of Education approves property tax rate increase
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education on Wednesday morning approved its property tax rate increase of $0.007. According to the district, most homeowners will notice a property tax increase of $140. The tax is expected to bring more than $4 million in revenue. The chief financial officer for the district said this money will go towards a fund which will
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CPS enrollment eclipses 19,000 students on first day of classes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Tuesday was the first day of classes at Columbia Public Schools, and unofficial enrollment numbers from the district show an increase in students attending school. According to a press release from CPS, the total first-day enrollment is 19,157. That total is up by 357 students from last year’s official enrollment number. The
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