COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A $50,000 donation from the Columbia Public Schools Foundation was made Friday to reduce student lunch debt, according to a press release from CPSF. The donation was made to the Lunch For Learners Fund. A Thursday email from a CPS spokesperson stated that school lunch debt sat at $124,613. CPS spokeswoman Michelle
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools’ Adult English Language Learner program could face significant setbacks as the Trump administration’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget includes cuts to adult education state grants. The proposed budget includes a 24% cut to adult education funding, reducing it from $642 million to about $486 million. CPS’s program provides free online
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Three boys were detained at a track meet on Tuesday night at Rock Bridge High School. One of the children was accused of threatening to shoot a Columbia Public Schools staff member, according to Columbia Police Department Assistant Chief Mark Fitzgerald. The other two boys were taken into custody for fighting. Police
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Former Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood is again a finalist to assume the same role at another school district. The Jefferson County School District in Kentucky shared in a press release on its website on Tuesday that Yearwood is one of its two finalists to lead its district. Yearwood is referred
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) With the May 16 legislative deadline fast approaching, the clock is ticking on a bill that would make Missouri an open-enrollment state. House Bill 711, sponsored by Rep. Brad Pollit (R-Sedalia), would allow K-12 public schools to decide whether to accept students from neighboring districts. It passed the state House in
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Senate is discussing a bill that would make the Show Me State an open-enrollment state. On Wednesday, the Senate took up House Bill 711 for a third reading and final passage. The legislation would allow K-12 public schools to decide whether to accept students from neighboring districts. House Bill
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By John Fritze, CNN (CNN) — The Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Wednesday seemed open to backing the creation of a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma, a decision that would expand the availability of taxpayer money for religious education in school systems across the nation. During more than two hours of at times feisty arguments
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) With more than $124,000 in unpaid school meal debt currently in collections, former Columbia Board of Education candidate Ken Rice is calling on the community to help support families and find long-term solutions. “There’s a little more than $124,000 in unpaid lunch bills that are in collections,” Rice said. “That means that
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Samantha Adams will be the next principal at Locust Street Expressive Arts Elementary School, Columbia Public Schools announced in a Friday press release. The release says that Adams is currently the principal at Mill Creek Elementary School and will replace Julia Coggins, who is becoming the assistant principal at John Warner Middle
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City School District announced in a Tuesday press release that Todd Shalz will be the district’s newest assistant superintendent of elementary education, pending board approval. The release says that he will start in his new role on July 1. He has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Missouri Western
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Among the many items on Thursday’s agenda, the University of Missouri Board of Curators will discuss a possible loss of federal money. The Board will hear an update for the fiscal year 2026 budget. Meeting documents state that impending federal funding cuts could result in a $22 million loss of National Institutes
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved new salary schedules within the district, which includes an increase for base salaries across the board for employees. Base compensation improved by an average of 2.93%, with the average increase coming out at 4.85%. Information from the board’s agenda states that the increase
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Board of Education members filed into their new roles during a reorganization meeting on Monday before its regular meeting. Suzette Waters and Erica Dickson earned spots on the board in the April 8 election. They both received more votes than Ken Rice, Waters was the Board’s president heading into the election.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City School District hired a familiar face as the next principal of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. JCSD announced in a Friday morning press release that Jefferson City High School Assistant Principal Jordan Chapman will become TJMS’ principal next school year. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to lead Thomas
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The election for the Columbia Board of Education has been decided. Board President Suzette Waters won her reelection bid, while Erica Dickson will join her on the board. The two ran in Tuesday’s election for two seats, while Ken Rice finished a distant third. Two-term board member Blake Willoughby did not seek
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Editor’s Note: Some of the financial figures have been corrected COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public School’s finance committee has voted to move forward with a $10 million increase in the district’s operating budget for the next academic year, despite some anticipated changes to the state budget. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Former Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood is once again a finalist to lead another school district. The Christina School District in Newark, Delaware, announced on its Facebook page on Friday that Yearwood is one-of-three finalists for its superintendent position. Yearwood is expected to appear at a forum that school district is
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools is approaching one year since installing a weapons detection system to enhance school safety. Now, the district is considering a public service announcement on safe firearm storage, a board resolution and further discussions on educating families about gun safety. CPS purchased 15 weapon detection systems from Communications Technologies Inc.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Three candidates are vying for a pair of open seats on the Columbia Board of Education. On April 8, Columbia and Boone County voters will decide between current Board President Suzette Waters, Erica Dickson and Ken Rice. Two-term Boardmember Blake Willoughby will not seek reelection. Here is how each candidate stands on some
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A hearing was held Tuesday morning by the Senate Education Committee on a proposed bill that would require Missouri school districts and charter schools to display the Ten Commandments in every building and classroom. Senate Bill 594 is sponsored by Sen. Jamie Burger (R-Benton) and would mandate the Ten Commandments to
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