K-12 education Archives

Southern Boone High School closed Tuesday for a deep clean after student tests positive for COVID-19.

Southern Boone School District votes to suspend mask mandate

September 23, 2021 8:50 AM Zachary Farwell

The requirement was issued after more than 15% of students and staff at the middle school tested positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine, the district said.

Moberly School District responds to attorney general complaint about recordings

September 22, 2021 10:14 AM Matthew Sanders

The Moberly School District responded Wednesday to the Missouri attorney general’s assertion that the district is breaking a new law that allows parents to record some private meetings with educators.

A Southern Boone School District parent sent a letter to the district to get mask exemption for their child.

Parents finding ways to exempt kids from wearing masks in school

September 21, 2021 8:20 PM Zach Boetto

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) Southern Boone School District parents says other families are finding ways to get their kids out of wearing masks at school. One parent sent a letter to the district claiming ‘religious beliefs’ to get mask exemption for their children. According to the district, there are certain cases where masks may be exempt.

Retired teacher: Low pay, pandemic main reasons for substitute shortage

September 21, 2021 8:34 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The need for substitute teachers across several Mid-Missouri school districts continues to grow causing teachers to work overtime and combine classes. Trish Foley, a retired teacher who spent 30 years in classrooms, said the low salary many school districts offers for substitute teachers is one of the main reasons for the shortage.

State representative criticizes Columbia Public Schools over music video use in class

September 21, 2021 12:25 PM Lucas Geisler

State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) said parents complained to him about a U.S. studies course using the video for “This is America” by Childish Gambino in class. Basye said the video features “gun violence, murder, inappropriate use of firearms and drug use.” Basye said superintendent Brian Yearwood and CPS had not done enough to address concerns he’s heard from parents.

Attorney general warns Moberly schools about new recording law

September 21, 2021 12:47 PM Matthew Sanders

State lawmakers in May passed a law allowing parents to record sessions with educators regarding their students’ individual education plans. The plans are made for students who need special accommodations as part of the learning process. The law took effect Aug. 28.

Protesters escorted off Southern Boone school property as mask mandate takes effect

September 17, 2021 5:25 AM Ben Fein

Southern Boone Elementary School started requiring masks Friday after Superintendent Christopher Felmlee announced the school hit its benchmark to send the school into a temporary mask mandate. Felmlee said 15% of students are out of school due to COVID-19 cases, with 82 students quarantined, five active student cases and one active staff case.

Jefferson City Board of Education to discuss district’s back-to-school plan

September 16, 2021 4:13 AM Ben Fein

The Jefferson City Board of Education is set to meet Thursday at 6 p.m. to discuss the district’s back-to-school plan, among other topics.

Police receive report of man with gun at Sedalia junior high school

September 16, 2021 11:12 AM Matthew Sanders

Sedalia police say they arrested a man on suspicion of trespassing and making a terrorist threat Thursday after a report of a person armed with a gun on the Smith-Cotton Junior High School campus.

Columbia Public Schools not alone in severe bus driver shortage

September 14, 2021 11:41 AM Joushua Blount

CPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood outlined the shortage during a presentation about the district and the coronavirus pandemic during a Columbia Board of Education meeting.

CPS teacher prepare for students return in-person

Missouri standardized test scores fall during coronavirus pandemic

September 14, 2021 2:04 PM Leila Mitchell

State standardized test scores took a hit last year from the coronavirus pandemic that had some kids learning inside classrooms and some connecting with teachers virtually.

Columbia Board of Education votes to extend coronavirus action plan

September 13, 2021 5:31 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education voted unanimously to continue the mask mandate and COVID-19 plan. Watch the meeting replay in the player below. In the updated plan, the district has added remediation strategies for students and staff. The Superintendent will be able to decide if mask requirements are needed after consultation with

History teacher has kept the memory of 911 alive for 16 years

September 9, 2021 9:30 PM Leila Mitchell

Each year, for the past 16 years, Helias Catholic High School history teacher Coach Victor Bell has taught students the events that took place on 9/11, emphasizing how it shaped the United States.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you worried about children getting coronavirus in schools?

September 9, 2021 1:59 AM ABC 17 News Team

Coronavirus cases among young children have been on the upswing the past few weeks in Missouri as students return to classes.

Coronavirus pandemic still creating need for more substitutes in Missouri schools

September 8, 2021 5:17 PM Hannah Falcon

Public schools in Missouri have been struggling to hire enough substitute teachers since the beginning of the pandemic.

Southern Boone School District returns Tuesday with COVID-19 safety measures

September 7, 2021 4:00 AM Meghan Drakas

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) The Southern Boone School District is returning on Tuesday with an outlined plan of COVID-19 safety measures in place for students and staff. In the plan, the district says it has been consulting with the CDC and the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services to make its safety plan

Hundreds of Columbia Public School students quarantining

September 2, 2021 3:45 AM Ben Fein

Columbia Public Schools is reporting all four high schools, all seven middle schools and 17 out of 21 elementary schools currently have students out due to COVID-19.

Southern Boone School District finalizes its return plan

August 31, 2021 5:15 AM Meghan Drakas

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) The Southern Boone R-I School District has finalized its back-to-school return plan for the in-person learning. The district says it has been consulting the CDC and Boone County Health Department to make its return plan decisions. The return plan includes social distancing, increased sanitation measures and contact tracing. The plan is set

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the federal government investigate mask mandate bans?

August 31, 2021 12:46 AM ABC 17 News Team

The investigations will look into whether such bans violate the civil rights of students with disabilities. Many health experts and medical groups have encouraged the masking of children and staff in schools to slow the spread of the coronavirus amid an ongoing case surge.

Southern Boone school board adjusts coronavirus plan after public input sessions

August 26, 2021 4:37 PM Matthew Sanders

The Southern Boone Board of Education will review the district’s coronavirus plan after holding another public input session Thursday.