Columbia Public Schools faces teacher allocation challenge

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools leaders told school board members Thursday about difficulties they're experiencing in getting teachers in the right spots throughout the district.

Columbia Board of Education members said each year varies depending on how many incoming students they get for the academic year and how many are graduating.

Board members said late enrollment, specifically in kindergarten, puts a strain on determining where teachers are needed. They also said they want to make efforts to give Title I schools, with a larger percentage of children in low-income households, additional support.

District leaders said they hope for 90% teacher retention by the 2026-2027 school year.

The principals of Derby Ridge Elementary School and Gentry Middle School also presented data on academic scores.

For Derby Ridge, the school increased reading and math scores. English for K-2 students went up to 36% for the 2023-24 school year compared to 22% the previous year, Principal Tina Woods said. Math scores went up to 21% from 19% for K-2.

Woods said the school faces challenges such as retaining new hires, increasing academic gains for all grade levels, rebuilding trust with stakeholders and maintaining a positive and uplifting culture in the school.

Gentry Middle School saw an increase in reading scores by 4% compared to the previous year but saw a 2% decrease in math scores.