Boone Co. Approves CPS Plan

Boone County commissioners unanimously approved a cooperative agreement Tuesday morning between the county and Columbia Public Schools.The agreement is for construction projects near Battle High School, which the Columbia School Board agreed to in November.With the passage of the agreement, the county is now the official owner of Battle Avenue and the various road improvements along St. Charles Road.The commissioners originally agreed to reimburse $250,000 to CPS to help offset some of the $1.8 million cost of the improvements. The school board then voted in November to rescind the original agreement and allow the $250,000 to go toward other improvements in the area.Those projects include the purchase of land at Route Z and St. Charles Road, widening of the exit ramps on I-70 to Route Z, replacement of the bridge deck over I-70 at Route Z, and the possible future extension of Battle Avenue to Mexico Gravel Road.CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark confirmed the school district has closed on the property.