Over 700 CPS elementary students will change schools due to new boundaries over the next three years
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
UPDATE:
The Columbia Public Schools Board of Education approved a new redistricting plan, along with the 2021-2022 fiscal budget Monday night.
District officials will now move forward with the three year redistricting plans and the fiscal budget beginning July 1.
Over the next three years, 724 kindergarten through fourth grade students will change schools to limit over crowding at schools. Officials from Cooperative Strategies say the overcrowding is a direct relation to growth around Gans Road in south Columbia and areas with potential growth including Rock Bridge, Cedar Ridge and Midway Heights.
The redistricting was approved in a six-to-one vote. However, there was a CPS student and multiple parents who attended the CPS BOE meeting and voiced their opinions.
"It has been very challenging for them (students) and in just one year they're going to face another major interruption," said Wei Xu, whose child attends Mill Creek Elementary School. "I just want some flexibility so when they make their final decision they need to take this into consideration."
Watch the meeting replay in the player below.
ORIGINAL:
The Columbia School Board continues to discuss attendance areas for elementary schools and the budget on the agenda Monday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
It's the fourth time the board has heard the presentation on the 2022 fiscal year budget which starts on July 1.
The school board discussed changes to elementary school boundaries and agreed they will take place over the next three years.
Officials say 724 K-4th grade students will change schools to limit overcrowding surrounding growth around Gans Rd in south Columbia and areas with potential growth including Rock Bridge, Cedar Ridge and Midway Heights.
The board is right now discussing next school year's budget.
The district plans to spend four and a half million dollars from its savings to handle expenses next year.
The board also recognized Dr. Peter Stiepleman in his final meeting with the board.
