Columbia Public Schools Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is your child’s school secure and safe?

May 2, 2023 2:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

Missouri’s state government just gave out a round of grants to mostly small school districts to enhance their security measures.

169 Missouri school districts and charter schools awarded grants from School Safety Grant Program

May 1, 2023 1:24 PM Erika McGuire

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Monday that 169 school districts and charter schools have been awarded grants from the School Safety Grant Program.

Rock Bridge High School students walk out, protest transgender medical restrictions

April 26, 2023 11:15 AM Nia Hinson

Rock Bridge High School students are planning to walk out of school Wednesday to protest restrictions that would make it harder for transgender people to get medical treatment.

School bus containing Hickman students involved in crash in north Columbia

April 21, 2023 5:01 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A school bus containing students from Hickman High School was involved in a crash Friday afternoon on Providence Road at Texas Avenue. Another vehicle appeared to hit the bus from behind and sustained damage. CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said in an email that the bus was rear-ended by the other vehicle. Columbia

Columbia Board of Education piloting new superintendent-evaluation process

April 20, 2023 6:30 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education unanimously voted at a work session Thursday morning to approve a new superintendent-evaluation process. The new evaluation process comes after three board members — Jeanne Snodgrass, Katherine Sasser and Suzette Waters — abstained from voting to renew Superintendent Brian Yearwood’s contract in January. Yearwood’s extension passed with

Mother of the victim speaks about lawsuit against alleged CPS student assault

April 18, 2023 5:41 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.) A local law firm held a press conference over a lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools, where the mother of the victim spoke. The office hopes to bring attention to the school district’s actions in a case of abuse. The alleged abuse dates all the way back between the years of 2015 and

Columbia Public Schools is aware of legal action against Evolv

April 12, 2023 4:36 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools is considering using an AI security technology called Evolv. However, a law firm is trying to file a lawsuit against the company for allegedly misleading shareholders. The school district demonstrated the weapons-detection system Tuesday at Hickman High School. A national law firm called The Schall Group is working on

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should schools have weapon detection systems?

April 12, 2023 2:33 AM ABC 17 News Team

Columbia Public Schools leaders are considering a new security enhancement in district high schools.

Columbia Public Schools demonstrates weapons detection system at Hickman High School

April 11, 2023 12:05 PM Ethan Heinz

Columbia Public Schools demonstrated a “touchless” weapons detection system Tuesday in response to high school students’ calls for increased safety amid frequent school shootings.

CPS to have demonstration for ‘touchless weapons-detection system’ Tuesday morning

April 10, 2023 3:46 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia Public Schools spokesperson said on Monday that the district will host a demonstration for a weapons-detection system called Evolv. The demonstration will occur at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hickman High School. “At this time, the district has not contracted for the service and the Board of Education has not taken

Columbia Board of Education to swear in members, discuss school upgrades and salaries

April 10, 2023 5:58 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday, The Columbia Board of Education is set to swear in members who were elected during the April 4 election. The board also has plans to discuss some main agenda items during their meeting on Monday. New board members April Ferrao, Paul Harper, and John Lyman will be sworn in at

Newly elected Columbia Board of Education members to be sworn in Monday

April 9, 2023 8:14 PM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday, April 10, the Columbia Board of Education will meet for a “reorganization meeting” where 3 new board members are getting sworn in by Columbia Public Schools superintendent, Brian Yearwood. The new members are April Ferrao, Paul Harper and John Lyman. They are filling the seats of current board president, David

Hickman students walk out, call for less gun violence in schools

April 5, 2023 11:55 AM Nia Hinson

Students for Change, a student-run group that hopes to prevent gun violence in Columbia Public Schools is planning a school walk-out to protest gun violence Tuesday.

Basye gets fourth in Columbia Board of Education race; does not get a seat on board

April 4, 2023 3:30 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A former state representative gets fourth in the Columbia Board of Education race, just one place shy of winning a seat on the board. “If I had not of got in, the other candidates would not be talking about the stuff that I was pushing. Accountability, transparency, discipline problems in CPS and

Columbia school board candidate interview: James Gordon

March 31, 2023 12:58 PM ABC 17 News Team

ABC 17 News is interviewing each of the seven candidates running for three open spots on the Columbia Board of Education. At least two of them will be new members — only one incumbent is in the race.

Columbia school board candidate interview: April Ferrao

March 30, 2023 2:52 PM ABC 17 News Team

ABC 17 News is interviewing each of the seven candidates running for three open spots on the Columbia Board of Education. At least two of them will be new members — only one incumbent is in the race.

Columbia school board candidate interview: John Potter

March 29, 2023 3:57 PM ABC 17 News Team

ABC 17 News is interviewing each of the seven candidates running for three open spots on the Columbia Board of Education. At least two of them will be new members — only one incumbent is in the race.

April candidates give final fundraising update before election

March 27, 2023 8:56 PM Lucas Geisler

(Editor’s note, 3/28: This story has been updated with Columbia Board of Education candidate James Gordon’s filing.) COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – Candidates for area City Councils and school boards gave their last update on how much money they’ve raised and spent before the April 4 election. Those running in the April election filed their fundraising

Travel increases during spring break as popular destinations have safety concerns

March 25, 2023 7:09 PM Abby Landwehr

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The first day of break for Mid-Missouri schools fell on Saturday for the University of Missouri, Columbia Public Schools and Jefferson City Schools. Often, the month of March proves to be one of the busiest for travel. And with 2023 travel numbers up, this year is no different according to the TSA’s

Columbia school board candidate interviews: Chris Horn

March 24, 2023 3:43 PM ABC 17 News Team

Part of Horn’s campaign is based on continuity on the board, which can be a challenge to serve on and take time to learn. Board member terms are three years.