K-12 education Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should schools mandate masks for everyone this fall?

July 20, 2021 1:17 AM ABC 17 News Team

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended Monday that everyone in a school setting older than 2 should wear masks indoors.

Columbia Public Schools buses lined up as students and teachers return to full time in person classes.

Columbia Public Schools dealing with staffing shortages

July 14, 2021 12:12 PM Ben Fein

Brian Yearwood, Superintendent of Columbia Public Schools says it continues to deal with staffing shortages in both substitute teachers and bus drivers.

Columbia Board of Education met Monday to move forward with additions to virtual learning

July 12, 2021 4:20 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday, the Columbia Board of Education met to approve a template to a new virtual learning option, as well as renew hotspots. During the 2021-22 school year, Columbia Public Schools will offer CPS Virtual Elementary powered by Edgenuity for students in grades K-5. The district will consider offering the template to

Several Mid-Missouri schools get perfect scores on bus inspections

June 22, 2021 8:31 PM Matthew Sanders

The highway patrol inspects buses at districts across the state yearly.

Lewis and Clark Middle School in Jefferson City returns to in-person classes after Thanksgiving break.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should schools still require students to wear masks?

June 11, 2021 2:00 AM ABC 17 News Team

More school districts in Mid-Missouri are making masks optional as coronavirus cases go down and vaccinations go up.

Capital City High School entrance on June 7, 2021.

JC Schools kicks off summer school with new COVID-19 guidance

June 7, 2021 5:38 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) JC Schools students are headed back to the classrooms Monday morning for summer school under new COVID-19 guidance. Masks are still required in school buildings but they’re not required outside. Social distancing is still being enforced inside classrooms. Students will now be able to leave their primary classrooms for art, music and

Columbia summer camps are deciding coronavirus safety guidelines as the CDC loosens mask requirements

May 28, 2021 4:54 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated summer camp guidelines Friday to say that it is safe to return to full capacity, without masking and without physical distancing if everyone is fully vaccinated prior to the start of camp – except where required by local law. Columbia Public Schools announced

Settlement reached with Camdenton school district over custodian’s behavior

May 27, 2021 8:25 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Two minors that sued the Camdenton R-III school district reached a settlement with the district this week. Federal court documents show a sealed settlement agreement between the minors, who are referred to as “Jane Doe” and “John Doe,” and the district on Monday. A court hearing was held Tuesday in Jefferson

Columbia Public Schools hosting vaccination clinics for children, Moderna announces vaccine highly effective in the same age group

May 25, 2021 4:57 PM Ben Fein

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Multiple Columbia Public Schools are set to host vaccination clinics tomorrow targeting kids ages 12-17. Battle High School hosted a clinic Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon using Pfizer’s Coronavirus vaccine. Rock Bridge High School is set to host a clinic Wednesday at the same time, also using the Pfizer vaccine. A

New principal named for New Haven Elementary School

May 24, 2021 8:00 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education will receive the recommendation for Kristina Contrades to become the new principal at New Haven Elementary School for the 2021‐22 school year. Contrades will replace Principal Carole Garth, who left the district earlier this year. Contrades is currently the assistant principal at Blue Ridge Elementary School. Contrades

Mexico School District loses access to Facebook page after hack

May 18, 2021 4:03 AM ABC 17 News Team

The district said all other data and systems are secure, and the hackers did not access any student or employee information.

Phishing scam leads to Mexico school district losing access to Facebook account

May 17, 2021 6:22 PM Karl Wehmhoener

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) A phishing scam has led the Mexico School District 59 to lose access to and control of its Facebook account. Officials say the district’s main Facebook page and several other associated pages were affected by the scam. According to a press release, the scammer gained access to and control of the district’s

MU family center to provide enhanced mental health support for Boone County schools

May 14, 2021 11:31 AM Ben Fein

The Family Access Center of Excellence (FACE), will highlight the plan to enhance mental health support for about 24,000 school-aged children and their families in Boone County schools during a news conference Friday at the Boone County Government Center.

Missouri House votes to pare down school voucher bill

May 11, 2021 3:31 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has passed a pared-down school voucher bill after a similar measure went to the governor last week. The GOP-led House on Tuesday voted 79-72 in favor of adding the pruned proposal to another bill. Both measures would create a tax credit program to pay for kids to

Missouri education leaders recommend schools keep coronavirus precautions in place

May 11, 2021 12:13 PM Chanel Porter

Department officials were part of the State Board of Education meeting Tuesday morning and gave an update on the state’s coronavirus pandemic response.

Columbia health leaders plan for 12-15 age group vaccinations

May 11, 2021 4:15 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE: Boone Health announced Tuesday, it will hold a vaccine clinic for anyone over the age of 12 on Thursday and Saturday. The clinic will be located inside the Columbia mall and has appointments available. You can set up an appointment here. ORIGINAL: Officials with the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health

Cooperative Strategies' change of school boundaries recommendation to CPS.

Columbia Board of Education to discuss attendance area changes

May 10, 2021 4:30 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Watch discussions about attendance area changes and COVID-19 in schools in the player below. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The Columbia Board of Education will hear recommendations on a possible change to attendance areas Monday night. You can find the Columbia Public Schools Board of Education meeting agenda here. The board

Columbia Board of Education to discuss changes to recording IEP meetings

May 10, 2021 6:03 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Public Schools Board of Education will discuss revisions to Policy KKB during it’s meeting Monday night. Policy KKB currently prohibits visual or audio recording on district property unless authorized. Last year, the board discussed the policy, but did not make any changes. Many parents and students had come forward to

Bill for limited Missouri school voucher program passes

May 6, 2021 8:09 PM Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have approved a tax credit program to pay for kids to go to private schools. The Republican-led Senate voted 20-13 Thursday to send the bill to Gov. Mike Parson. Under the program, private donors would give money to nonprofits that in turn would dole out scholarships. Donors would get

MU College of Education receives $1 million gift; will create scholarships for elementary education students

May 6, 2021 7:51 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU alumnus pledged a $1 million contribution to the University of Missouri’s College of Education during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Gary J. Coles and Patricia McIntosh Coles’s gift will be used to establish scholarships for MU students preparing to become elementary school teachers. “We are extremely grateful for the Coles entrusting the