Columbia Public Schools Archives

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.

Columbia school board candidate interview: John Lyman

March 23, 2023 3:47 PM ABC 17 News Team

John Lyman grew up in Columbia and graduated from Rock Bridge High School and says that experience will help him as a member of the school board. Lyman’s wife is also a Columbia Public Schools teacher. He has been endorsed by the Sierra Club and has promoted social equity in the schools.

Lane dividers prevent parents from making left turn leaving Mill Creek Elementary School

March 22, 2023 6:59 PM Marina Diaz

EDITOR’S NOTE: A misspelled name has been corrected. COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) The City of Columbia has added delineators to South Sinclair Road outside of Mill Creek Elementary School. The dividers were installed on Monday, according to Columbia Public Works spokesperson John Ogan. Ogan said the City worked with the school and CPS at the request

Columbia school board candidate interview: Paul Harper

March 22, 2023 3:41 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 Board of Education reviews DESE’s annual performance report

March 13, 2023 4:25 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education reviewed the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Annual Performance report at its meeting Monday night. Columbia Public Schools received a 70% score on this year’s state education report card. “It includes the general performance of the district around the number of times including math, attendance,

Columbia Public Schools looks to renew agreement for bus services

March 12, 2023 5:02 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools is looking to renew its contract agreement with Student Transportation of America, a bus company, for the 2023-2024 school year. In a school board meeting on Monday night, the Columbia School Board will present amendment three, which details a plan to recruit and maintain bus drivers in the area.

Local pediatric center offers free services to Rock Bridge students after classmates’ death

March 10, 2023 6:59 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Little Tree Pediatrics is offering free individual and group therapy sessions for Rock Bridge High School students following the death of Cash Martin. The 15-year-old tragically lost his life Monday in a motorcycle accident on a busy south Columbia road. Students were invited to attend a memorial service on Friday. Rock Bridge

Understanding how to become a school bus driver in Missouri after area driver has 31 charges following alleged incident in Cole County

March 10, 2023 5:09 PM Ethan Heinz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A school bus driver was arrested this week in Cole County and and faces 31 charges. Robert Hern, 59, is charged with first-degree property damage, operating a motor vehicle in a careless manner, leaving the scene of an accident and 28 counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Hern was

Federal lawsuit accuses former CPS security staff of concussing student

March 9, 2023 11:38 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A lawsuit from a Columbia family accuses a former security staff member of concussing their teenaged soon and chipping his tooth during school. The lawsuit from the family of “J.J.” as he’s referred to in court documents, was moved from state to federal courts on Monday. J.J.’s family accused former assistant

Columbia Public Schools scores 70% on performance report

March 7, 2023 5:57 PM Marina Diaz

Columbia Public Schools earned a 70% score on this year’s version of the state’s education report card.

Columbia student motorcycle crash victim identified

March 7, 2023 11:53 AM Erika McGuire

Columbia Public Schools on Tuesday confirmed the name of the Rock Bridge High School student killed in a motorcycle crash on a busy stretch of road the day before.

Columbia bookstore supports drag storytimes despite pushback from Republican lawmakers

March 6, 2023 12:01 PM Hannah Falcon

The most recent in a series of bills in the Missouri legislature related to drag shows and transgender people is one that criminalizes drag shows that are open to minors.

CPS’ request for summary denied; lawsuit with Sells heads to jury trial in summer

February 28, 2023 11:34 AM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Wayne Sells’ lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools will have a jury trial. CPS filed a motion for summary judgement last week and was denied. A two-day trial will be held between June and August for a breach-of-contract claim by Sells. The Columbia Board Of Education unanimously voted to rename its athletics field in 2020

Columbia Board of Education candidates speak at forum; disagree on gender-affirming closets

February 21, 2023 4:56 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Candidates for the Columbia Board of Education spoke Tuesday night at a forum held by the Boone County Pachyderm Club. The forum was held at the Grand Cru restaurant on Providence Road in south Columbia. Candidates for the April 4 election include Paul Harper, John T. Potter, Christopher Horn, James Edward Gordon,

Attorneys for CPS, Wayne Sells argue over name of RBHS athletic field

February 21, 2023 6:45 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Boone County judge will soon decide what to do about Columbia Public Schools removing the name of a donor from Rock Bridge High School’s athletics field. The Columbia Board Of Education unanimously voted to rename the field in 2020 after Wayne Sells – on Facebook — criticized professional athletes who were protesting

Spectrum Health Care Clinic closes its doors in Columbia

February 17, 2023 7:36 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Spectrum Health Care Clinic closed its doors Wednesday without notice. The clinic was located at 1123 Wilkes Boulevard in Columbia. Signs posted on the front door state that the clinic is closed until further notice, citing financial hardships. Spectrum offered medical assistance for HIV/AIDS patients, as well as STI testing and birth

Missouri lawmakers again take up transgender issues as legislation impacts Columbia schools

February 14, 2023 10:08 AM Hannah Falcon

The morning after a Columbia Board of Education member left a meeting citing ongoing stress from the Missouri legislature’s continued focus on LGBTQ+ issues, lawmakers were set to meet Tuesday to discuss transgender children.

Columbia Board of Education member leaves meeting, citing slew of legislation

February 13, 2023 7:38 PM Marina Diaz

Columbia Board of Education member Katherine Sasser said she could no longer fulfill her role on the board at Monday night’s meeting.

Columbia Public Schools still seeking more bus drivers after long struggle with shortages

February 8, 2023 11:39 AM Ethan Heinz

Columbia Public Schools’ transportation provider is still looking to hire bus drivers nearly three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been blamed for staffing shortages nationwide.

CPS superintendent apologizes, will review permission-slip process following drag performance

February 1, 2023 4:38 PM Ryan Shiner

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood apologized to parents in a letter Wednesday following a drag performance at a diversity event held by the city two weeks ago where students were present.