WATCH: Boone County Nature School moving into second phase of construction
A $4.5 million project to take learning outdoors is celebrating the completion of its first phase.
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School districts continue facing a food supply shortage
The nationwide food supply shortage has hurt some schools districts in communities that need to serve lunch to students. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary school, the distributors that deliver the foods could be facing staffing issues or a lack of product availability because of the pandemic supply chain crisis. Mallory McGowin
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Missouri State Board of Education to shorten hours for substitute teacher training
The Missouri State Board of Education announced the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will offer a new certification process for all substitute teachers.
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Jefferson City School District extends Thanksgiving break
The Jefferson City School District announced plans to extend its Thanksgiving break by two extra days.
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Gov. Parson threatens legal action against reporter who exposed flaw on state education department’s website
The Missouri Department of Education says it has fixed an issue that allowed access to some educators social security information, after the department says it was notified personal information of three educators was possibly compromised through the state’s certification database.
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School bus involved in crash on Highway 50 in Cole County
COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) At least two vehicles, including a school bus, were involved in a crash Thursday morning on Highway 50 in Cole County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened in the westbound lanes near Henwick lane. Troopers said the bus was hit by another vehicle after the school bus
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should children be able to avoid quarantine after in-school coronavirus exposure?
The option, called “test to stay,” allows students and workers to take frequent COVID-19 tests to avoid quarantine after exposure to the virus in school. The guidance is optional, so some districts might decide not to change their policies.
Continue Reading State education department adds ‘test to stay’ option for school quarantines
Statewide and National entities are discussing “test to stay,” as a method to allow students in K-12 education to avoid student quarantines.
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Ashland police investigating Southern Boone Middle School weapon threat
Sgt. Andrew Worrall with the Ashland Police Department said that a student who said they would bring a gun to school was not at school Tuesday, resolving any potential threat.
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Columbia Board of Education to reevaluate COVID-19 safety plan and raises for school bus drivers
At the Monday night board meeting, the Columbia Board of Education is set to review agenda items that include its COVID-19 safety plan and potential raises for school bus drivers.
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Helias Catholic High School changes masking requirements for students and staff starting Wednesday
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City is changing its masking requirements for students and staff on Wednesday. According to the high school’s website, the school will make changes to its COVID-19 protocols due to a drop in county and school case numbers compared to earlier in the school year. The
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did the Southern Boone school board make the right call?
The mandates were put in place because at least 15% of each school’s population was out because of having COVID-19 or being exposed to the coronavirus. However, they drew backlash from some parents who claimed masks harm their children or are ineffective.
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Hickman parents tell their children’s experiences at the homecoming dance after gun rumors
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Kristin Bowen said her son sent her a text 15 minutes before the dance was set to end to come pick him up. She said this was unlike him and she sensed something was wrong because he usually stays until the end. “As my child was getting ready to leave, he said
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Southern Boone School District votes to suspend mask mandate
The requirement was issued after more than 15% of students and staff at the middle school tested positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine, the district said.
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Moberly School District responds to attorney general complaint about recordings
The Moberly School District responded Wednesday to the Missouri attorney general’s assertion that the district is breaking a new law that allows parents to record some private meetings with educators.
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Parents finding ways to exempt kids from wearing masks in school
ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) Southern Boone School District parents says other families are finding ways to get their kids out of wearing masks at school. One parent sent a letter to the district claiming ‘religious beliefs’ to get mask exemption for their children. According to the district, there are certain cases where masks may be exempt.
Continue ReadingRetired teacher: Low pay, pandemic main reasons for substitute shortage
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The need for substitute teachers across several Mid-Missouri school districts continues to grow causing teachers to work overtime and combine classes. Trish Foley, a retired teacher who spent 30 years in classrooms, said the low salary many school districts offers for substitute teachers is one of the main reasons for the shortage.
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State representative criticizes Columbia Public Schools over music video use in class
State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) said parents complained to him about a U.S. studies course using the video for “This is America” by Childish Gambino in class. Basye said the video features “gun violence, murder, inappropriate use of firearms and drug use.” Basye said superintendent Brian Yearwood and CPS had not done enough to address concerns he’s heard from parents.
Continue Reading Attorney general warns Moberly schools about new recording law
State lawmakers in May passed a law allowing parents to record sessions with educators regarding their students’ individual education plans. The plans are made for students who need special accommodations as part of the learning process. The law took effect Aug. 28.
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Protesters escorted off Southern Boone school property as mask mandate takes effect
Southern Boone Elementary School started requiring masks Friday after Superintendent Christopher Felmlee announced the school hit its benchmark to send the school into a temporary mask mandate. Felmlee said 15% of students are out of school due to COVID-19 cases, with 82 students quarantined, five active student cases and one active staff case.
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