Educators poke holes in Missouri Legislature’s plan to raise teacher salaries
As budget negotiations continue at the Missouri State Capitol, lawmakers have multiple proposals on how to give teachers across the state a raise.
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Groundbreaking held for new elementary school in southwest Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Leaders at Columbia Public Schools broke ground on Friday afternoon on a new elementary school in southwest Columbia. The school will be built near John Warner Middle School on Sinclair Road. Officials say the school is expected to hold 750 students and is slated to open in the fall of 2026.
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CPS leaders, state representative disappointed in passage of bill allowing charter schools in Boone County
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Some Columbia Public School leaders and state representatives are concerned about the Missouri House’s passing of Senate Bill 727 Thursday. SB727 mentions that school districts in Boone County would be added to the list of districts where a charter school could be operated. The bill would also expand K-12 private school scholarships
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Columbia Board of Education approves pay raise for superintendent
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education on Thursday approved a pay raise for Superintendent Brian Yearwood. The measure passed 5-2. It gives Yearwood a 5% raise to $261,640, according to meeting documents. The raise will begin next school year. The board voted in February to extend Yearwood’s contract through June 30, 2027.
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Missouri House passes bill that would allow charter schools in Boone County
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday that would allow charter schools to operate in Boone County. Senate Bill 727 mentions that school districts in Boone County would be added to the list of districts where a charter school could be operated. The bill would also expand K-12 private school scholarships statewide
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Columbia Board of Education approves Phase 1 of attendance area changes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education on Wednesday approved a new elementary school attendance area change during a special session. The board approved an option that would move 59 students to Russell Boulevard from Fairview Elementary, feeding Fairview Elementary into two schools, instead of three. The measure passed 5-1, with Boardmember April Ferrao
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Stephens College president to retire in May 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Stephens College President Dianne Lynch will retire in May 2025, according to a Thursday press release. Lynch began working at Stephens College in 2009, the release states. “Under President Lynch’s leadership, Stephens College has flourished, embarking on numerous transformative initiatives that have enriched academic programs and significantly enhanced campus life,” Stephens College
Continue Reading Mid-Missouri school districts still battling low attendance rates four years after pandemic
The number of chronically absent students in Missouri has increased in the past five years, and some of Mid-Missouri’s largest school districts are experiencing the trend.
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Southern Boone Board of Education appoints Heather Brown as new member
ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) Heather Brown has been picked to join the Southern Boone Board of Education, a Wednesday press release from a school district spokesman says. The Board was looking to fill a vacancy after Board member Crystal Branch passed away, according to previous reporting. Branch died on Feb. 24. The school district announced it
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Columbia Public Schools will roll out weapons detection systems at high schools in the fall
Columbia Public Schools approved a bid with Communications Technologies Inc. for weapons detection systems at its board of education meeting Monday night.
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Columbia Board of Education to discuss weapon detection system at meeting
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday the Columbia Board of Education is expected to approve a bid from Communications Technology Inc. to provide weapon detection systems for all three comprehensive high schools. CPS had an interview team comprised of six members to review proposals from six vendors. After the interview process, the team selected Alliance Technology
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Students experiencing high test anxiety
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As students return from spring break and prepare for end-of-year testing, several of them could experience high test anxiety. Several students around the country and of all grade levels can experience test anxiety, but it’s normal for anyone who has to take a test. Dr. Arpit Aggarwal from MU Health said moderate
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Storm shelter at Battle Elementary is one step closer to being built
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) The Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee on Wednesday recommended a plan that includes adding a storm shelter to Battle Elementary School. It is now up Board of Education to approve the project. The International Building Code, adopted in 2015, requires educational buildings with an occupant load of 50 or more to have a
Continue Reading Columbia Board of Education president urges staff to oppose charter school bill
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Board of Education President Suzette Waters sent a letter to Columbia Public School employees, urging them to voice their opposition to a bill that could bring charter schools to Boone County. ABC 17 News received the letter from an email from a CPS spokesperson. Boone County superintendents previously voiced their opposition
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Criminal case dismissed for former Mexico teacher accused of child abuse
MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) A criminal case — that accused a former Mexico, Missouri, elementary school teacher of child abuse — was dismissed on Thursday, according to Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger. Katrina Dukes was charged with child abuse and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. “Our office did not believe we could prove the elements of
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Police: One arrested in relation to shooting at Cosmo-Bethel Park
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police arrested a 24-year-old man after officers found shell casings at Cosmo-Bethel Park on Friday afternoon. Police updated a social media post around 10:15 p.m. Friday to say that Daqwon Jackson, of Columbia, was arrested on suspicion of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree assault, first-degree domestic assault
Continue Reading Southern Boone Board of Education looks to fill vacancy after board member death
ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) The Southern Boone County R-1 School District is looking to fill a vacancy on its board of education, following the passing of Board member Crystal Branch, according to an email from school spokesman Matt Sharp. Branch passed away on Feb. 24, according to her obituary. The email says the district is following
Continue Reading Boone County superintendents oppose charter schools as bill heads to House
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Senate passed a bill Thursday that could bring charter schools to Boone County. Senate Bill 727 specifically mentions that school districts in Boone County would be added to the list of districts where a charter school could be operated. A charter school is a free, public school that operates independently
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Moniteau County substitute teacher charged with assaulting student
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A substitute teacher working for the California School District in Moniteau County was charged last week with assaulting a student in class. Kevin R. Wideman of Russellville, Missouri, was charged with fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. He was issued a summons to appear in court and a hearing is set for April 9.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is violence a big problem in schools?
A recently released survey of some Missouri teachers says that nearly a fifth believe physical violence in an issue at school. The Missouri State Teachers Association survey looked in part at why teachers were leaving the classroom. Nearly 20% of those surveyed said that violence is a problem at their schools. Do you think physical
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