July 05, 2008

Hickman High School gains late-start Tuesdays

By EVAN HAMILTON Classes will begin 30 minutes later to give teachers collaboration time.

July 03, 2008

Journey to Japan leaves 2 Columbia teachers with deeper understanding

By DEIDRA HOLDER Columbia Public Schools teachers Tammy Cox and Clint Darr returned from Japan with plans to share their experiences across the district.

June 30, 2008

No new district projects until Hickman pays off money it owes for turf

By DEIDRA HOLDER The district paid for installation of artificial turf at Hickman in 2006 and is still waiting for repayment of $85,000 of it.

School Board approves final budget

By ELISE CATCHINGS and JENNIFER LEDBURY Today was the final deadline for the 2008-2009 school year budget. School Board members were required to approve a finalized budget for the 2008-2009 school year.

June 28, 2008

CIS to launch national search for new head of school

By PHOU SENGSAVANH Columbia Independent School said it has made a commitment to internationally focused education and is looking at a new study abroad option for upper school students.

June 25, 2008

State audit finds gaps in training, testing for some school bus drivers

By CHRIS BLANK/The Associated Press But State Auditor Susan Montee says that even if school districts met all state requirements, it wouldn't be enough to protect child passengers.

June 23, 2008

New Benton principal brings experience, enthusiasm

By CARA WILLENBROCK While teaching in Japan, Troy Hogg says he learned how to treat students more independently.

June 20, 2008

School board approves a budget with 5-1 vote

By ELISE CATCHINGS and DEIDRA HOLDER The Columbia School Board approved a budget Thursday night for the 2008-2009 school year that will not fund regularly scheduled salary increases for district employees next year.

June 19, 2008

Chase to take $20,000 cut in salary

By JENNIFER LEDBURY and KRISTIN LEWIS In response to Columbia Public Schools’ efforts to reduce its costs, Superintendent Phyllis Chase has volunteered to take a roughly 10 percent pay cut.

Missouri’s best high school rodeo stars compete in state finals

By SHARISSE HUBBARD Cowboys and cowgirls from across the state will compete at the Missouri High School Rodeo State Finals this weekend.

School of the Osage students schooled in skulls

By Phoebe Sexton MU graduate students demonstrated how to categorize animals by their skulls Thursday.

Former Rock Bridge student to lead Iraqi-American student discussions in Jordan

By MARTY SWANT Michael Schoenleber aims to show how youth can be involved in promoting unity and peace between Iraqi and American students.

June 18, 2008

Final school district budget under discussion at listening session

By Jennifer Ledbury In the final listening session before the board votes on the 2008-2009 budget, the public weighed in once again. Major concerns were teacher morale, class-size and the learning environment at Columbia Public Schools.

Air conditioning expands summer school locations

By DEIDRA HOLDER and CARA WILLENBROCK Benton and Blue Ridge elementary schools are now able to operate summer programs due to newly installed air conditioning.

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new elementary school

By Missourian staff Columbia’s 20th elementary school got its official construction start Wednesday with a ground-breaking at Waco and Brown Station roads.

June 17, 2008

Changes to new high school address community questions

By DEIDRA HOLDER After community input, the new high school construction steering committee revises conceptual plans.

June 16, 2008

Math professors hear response from the state on education standards

By ELISE CATCHINGS The state has broadened its invitation to mathematicians to review a draft of updated K-12 math curriculum standards. The move is a response to a letter sent in May by more than 50 math professors from MU, Washington University and Missouri University of Science and Technology.

June 15, 2008

Islamic School of Columbia celebrates accreditation

By ANNE SHIFLEY After beginning the process of applying for accreditation three years ago, the Islamic School of Columbia celebrated its accreditation by the Missouri Nonpublic School Accrediting Association on Sunday. The school is now eligible for more resources and funding.

Bringing history to life: Two Columbia students to compete at National History Day competition

By MISSOURIAN STAFF Rock Bridge graduate Chris Gahn and Columbia Catholic School eighth-grader Billy Swift will represent Missouri at the National History Day competition.

June 12, 2008

Public comments encouraged at special session board meetings

By ELISE CATCHINGS The public is encouraged to make comments regarding the 2008-2009 budget during an upcoming meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.