Education Archives

Columbia student motorcycle crash victim identified

March 7, 2023 11:53 AM Erika McGuire

Columbia Public Schools on Tuesday confirmed the name of the Rock Bridge High School student killed in a motorcycle crash on a busy stretch of road the day before.

Lincoln University wins discrimination case over former HR director

March 7, 2023 3:47 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A court decision on March 1 was ruled in favor of Lincoln University in a case where its former human resources director made discrimination claims. The lawsuit alleged violations of the Missouri Human Rights Act. In the lawsuit from 2019, Jim Marcantonio claimed former President Kevin Rome ordered him to hire

Columbia bookstore supports drag storytimes despite pushback from Republican lawmakers

March 6, 2023 12:01 PM Hannah Falcon

The most recent in a series of bills in the Missouri legislature related to drag shows and transgender people is one that criminalizes drag shows that are open to minors.

MU says $10 million grant will double cover crops

March 6, 2023 5:20 PM Matthew Sanders

The University of Missouri said Monday that an agricultural researcher received a $10 million grant that will double the area of cover crops used in the United States by 2030.

Jefferson City School District to present $85 million school bond

March 6, 2023 6:48 AM Joushua Blount

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday, Jefferson City leaders are set to hear a presentation on a proposed bond increase for all Jefferson City School districts. The bond issue is called “Kids FIRST” and it will be on the April ballot. The Jefferson City School District says the “Kids FIRST” proposal is a zero-tax-increase bond and

In Missouri, marijuana legalization is just the beginning of policy work

March 2, 2023 12:55 PM Hannah Falcon

After recreational marijuana became legal in Missouri some lawmakers saw an opportunity, while others saw problems.

CPS’ request for summary denied; lawsuit with Sells heads to jury trial in summer

February 28, 2023 11:34 AM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Wayne Sells’ lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools will have a jury trial. CPS filed a motion for summary judgement last week and was denied. A two-day trial will be held between June and August for a breach-of-contract claim by Sells. The Columbia Board Of Education unanimously voted to rename its athletics field in 2020

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support student loan forgiveness?

February 28, 2023 2:44 AM ABC 17 News Team

On Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan is legal.

MU pays more than $100,000 for water damage at Faurot Field

February 27, 2023 9:33 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri has paid $100,913 to Service Master for water damage after pipes burst at Faurot Field in December. Significant water damage was caused from pipe bursts on the sixth floor of the west tower and near the south end zone due to extremely cold temperatures. An official said more information

LU to receive $1.5 million grant from NASA

February 27, 2023 8:17 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Lincoln University as one of the eight HBCUs chosen by NASAS to receive funding through its new Data Science Equity, Access, and Priority research and education opportunity grant, a Monday press release stated. LU will receive $1.5 million over three years to train graduate and undergraduate students in data science on projects

Jefferson City School District receives more than $300,000 in STEM donations

February 22, 2023 7:58 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City School District announced in a Wednesday press release that it received donation of more than $300,000 in STEM items. Elenco Electronics donated the STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics– products, which include do-it-yourself activity kits, project kits designed to teach about circuits and coding, and more. The

Columbia Board of Education candidates speak at forum; disagree on gender-affirming closets

February 21, 2023 4:56 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Candidates for the Columbia Board of Education spoke Tuesday night at a forum held by the Boone County Pachyderm Club. The forum was held at the Grand Cru restaurant on Providence Road in south Columbia. Candidates for the April 4 election include Paul Harper, John T. Potter, Christopher Horn, James Edward Gordon,

Attorneys for CPS, Wayne Sells argue over name of RBHS athletic field

February 21, 2023 6:45 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Boone County judge will soon decide what to do about Columbia Public Schools removing the name of a donor from Rock Bridge High School’s athletics field. The Columbia Board Of Education unanimously voted to rename the field in 2020 after Wayne Sells – on Facebook — criticized professional athletes who were protesting

Columbia College hosts Black Business Expo

February 18, 2023 10:39 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia College hosted its fourth Black Business Expo Saturday, Feb 18. in Columbia. The Expo was hosted by the office of diversity, equity, and Inclusion. The Black Business Expo ran from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. inside the Southwell Complex on Rangline Street. The expo included live music and entertainment and was

Spectrum Health Care Clinic closes its doors in Columbia

February 17, 2023 7:36 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Spectrum Health Care Clinic closed its doors Wednesday without notice. The clinic was located at 1123 Wilkes Boulevard in Columbia. Signs posted on the front door state that the clinic is closed until further notice, citing financial hardships. Spectrum offered medical assistance for HIV/AIDS patients, as well as STI testing and birth

MU releases job satisfaction survey results; strengths include employee interactions with each other

February 16, 2023 7:32 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri released the results of its faculty job satisfaction survey and found the university is succeeding in three areas of strength, and is looking to improve two other areas. The survey was conducted by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education in during the spring 2022 semester. Nine

MU Health Care names new CEO

February 15, 2023 10:48 AM Matthew Sanders

A president of a public hospital system in Wisconsin was named Wednesday as the new CEO of MU Health Care.

Missouri lawmakers again take up transgender issues as legislation impacts Columbia schools

February 14, 2023 10:08 AM Hannah Falcon

The morning after a Columbia Board of Education member left a meeting citing ongoing stress from the Missouri legislature’s continued focus on LGBTQ+ issues, lawmakers were set to meet Tuesday to discuss transgender children.

Columbia Board of Education member leaves meeting, citing slew of legislation

February 13, 2023 7:38 PM Marina Diaz

Columbia Board of Education member Katherine Sasser said she could no longer fulfill her role on the board at Monday night’s meeting.

Jefferson City School District announces new South Elementary principal

February 13, 2023 3:54 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Jefferson City School District announced in a Monday press release that it has hired Keshia LaVergne to be the principal of South Elementary next school year. LaVergne will succeed Teri Tillinghast, who will be teaching third grade at Lawson Elementary. “As a building principal, I believe strongly in creating and maintaining