Columbia Public Schools gets a ‘B’ on patron survey

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Most of the 400 people who took a random telephone survey gave Columbia Public Schools a "B" rating.

The district performs the survey approximately every two years. Since 2013, the percentage of respondents who give CPS a ranking of "A" has decreased by 11 points.

The results will be presented to the Columbia Board of Education on Monday. The 2019 Patron Telephone Survey report shows results on a five-point scale, with a five indicating an "A" rating. CPS received an overall grade of 4.12.

Dr. Peter Stiepleman, the superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, said even though the "A" ranking has decreased, the district is happy with the results.

"Looking at anything between a 3.75 up to a 4.5 or 4.6 is super exciting for us," Stiepleman said. "That's where our results are and we're encouraged by that."

Of the 400 people who took the random telephone survey, 62 percent gave the district a "B" rating.

The school district is also expected to discuss building expansion projects, including the construction of a new middle school and Locust Street Expressive Arts Elementary additions and renovations.

"We're the fifth-largest school district now, with more than 19,000 students," Stiepleman said. "We continue to grow, and so we've done a good job of maintaining and catching up and now it's all about keeping up."