Mother of three files to run for Columbia Board of Education in April election
Andrea Lisenby is seeking one of the two seats up for election.
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Mid-Missouri schools try to assuage parent fears over non-specific TikTok rumors
Reports of a TikTok video that challenges kids to send threats to their school on Friday emerged this week and quickly spread nationwide. Some schools have closed, including Gasconade County R-II, while others are reminding parents that there is no credible threat and telling them police are on the lookout.
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Gasconade County school district to close Friday after TikTok threat challenge
School districts across Mid-Missouri say they’ve been made aware of a trend on social media app TikTok that challenges kids to threaten their schools.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you worried about social media threats made toward schools?
Last week some students made a social media threat toward a Jefferson City middle school. They might face criminal charges. This Thursday, a TikTok challenge telling students to make bomb and shooting threats at their schools grabbed administrators’ attention nationwide.
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CPS mask policy change goes into effect after winter break
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday night, the Columbia Board of Education voted to halt the mask mandate for the school district, but the policy won’t go into effect until after the winter break. Board members also voted to change the COVID-19 protocols to require only people who test positive for the virus to quarantine. Columbia
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Question of the day: Did the Columbia school board make the right decision by removing the COVID mask policy?
The Columbia Board of Education voted Monday night to end the COVID-19 mask policy effective Jan. 4. Some parents expressed their opinions in favor of keeping the mask policy as cases are rising at schools in Columbia according to the 14-day rate. Other parents wanted the ability to make the decision for their own children
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South Callaway R-II Board of Education hires new superintendent
The South Callaway R-II Board of Education has hired elementary school principal Corey Pontius to replace outgoing Superintendent Kevin Hillman.
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Candidates file local school boards
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) In Columbia, Suzette Waters has filed to run for the Columbia Board of Education in the April 2022 election. “A quality education means stretching each student to reach beyond what they are doing to find out what they can do,” she said. She has been an active volunteer in her kids’ classrooms
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Fulton bus driver shares story after being fired
A Fulton bus driver was fired Tuesday after being caught on video using his phone while driving students.
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Missouri attorney general warns schools, local health agencies that continue to enforce health mandates
The letters follow a Nov. 22 Cole County judge’s ruling in Robinson v. Department of Health and Senior Services. Judge Daniel Green ruled non-elected officials cannot issue and enforce public health orders in Missouri. Schmitt told ABC 17 News that his office took time to interpret how the ruling will affect the rest of Missouri before crafting the letters.
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Springfield parents file lawsuit over school mask mandate
The Springfield News-Leader reports that the parents argue that the mask mandate in place since August is a legal overreach and infringes on the rights of parents.
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Missouri attorney general sues Moberly schools alleging Sunshine Law violation
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued Moberly Public Schools on Tuesday, alleging the district overcharged for a public records request related to school policy about recording certain meetings.
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Some Missouri teachers are getting an extended Thanksgiving break while others are left frustrated
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thanksgiving breaks began for some schools across Mid-Missouri Monday after some districts decided to extend the holiday break this year to provide some relief to staff and students. Jefferson City and Southern Boone are two of many that extended their break, saying that the demands of the past 18 months have worn
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will snow days go extinct?
The policy began last year during the coronavirus pandemic after higher education and K-12 schools beefed up their remote capabilities as classes went online. However, most K-12 districts are keeping snow days. Districts plan their calendars to accommodate weather-related cancellations.
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Southern Boone School District extends Thanksgiving break
BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Southern Boone School District announced Friday that schools will be closed the entire week of Thanksgiving “out of an abundance of concern for the mental and physical wellbeing of staff and students.” A Facebook post from the district says classes scheduled on Monday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 23 will
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THURSDAY UPDATES: Columbia Public Schools reports all elementary and middle schools affected by coronavirus
Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.
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Jefferson City School District looking to attract substitute teachers amidst nationwide shortage with incentives
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Board of Education has approved a new bonus pay incentive for substitute teachers. Beginning on Tuesday, substitute teachers will receive a $500 bonus for every 20 cumulative days they sub for the district. “Like schools all across the country, our district has been impacted by the ongoing substitute
Continue Reading QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Critical Race Theory be taught at the high school level?
Three state lawmakers addressed the Columbia Board of Education about Critical Race Theory at its meeting Monday night. Rep. Chuck Basye said that he felt that Critical Race Theory, often referred to as CRT, was being taught in Columbia Public Schools. The lawmaker said that he has proof it is being taught. Rep. David Tyson
Continue Reading Missouri will invest $50 million to recruit and retain new teachers
The state will invest $50 million over the next three years for the recruitment and retention program.
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Columbia Board of Education member will seek re-election
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia Board of Education member plans to run for re-election. According to a press release from the campaign for Blake Willoughby, he will seek a second term on the board of education. “I am committed to the value of community and this will be a campaign focused on how we can
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