Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood

Missouri’s attorney general slams CPS superintendent in second letter

January 26, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (left) visits with Governor Mike Parson at the Statehouse in Jefferson City on January 24, 2023 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Missouri’s GOP attorney general has sent a second letter to Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood regarding last Thursday’s drag queen controversy.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) says CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood cares more about indoctrination than about education. General Bailey writes, in part: “You have betrayed the trust and confidence of the parents who depend on you to educate their children.”

Dr. Yearwood has disputed the attorney general’s comments that last Thursday’s diversity performance at the Holiday Inn Expo Center from three drag queens was an adult performance. Dr. Yearwood has also said that CPS does not have control over the program at events organized by outside entities.

Attorney General Bailey is reiterating his call that any CPS school official who knew that last Thursday’s diversity breakfast celebration included a drag show should resign or be fired. Dr. Yearwood has said that Bailey is misrepresenting what happened at the event.

Meantime, Missouri’s Senate president will be meeting with CPS’ superintendent, to discuss concerns he’s hearing from CPS parents and other constituents about last Thursday’s drag queen performance at the Expo Center. Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) tells 939 the Eagle that his meeting with Superintendent Yearwod is scheduled for later this week.

Rowden says he wants to heard from Dr. Yearwood and board members on the process that led to this series of events. The superintendent has also issued an open invitation to Missouri’s governor to meet.

CPS Superintendent disputes Missouri AG’s characterization about diversity event; extends open invitation to Governor Parson to meet

January 22, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood, left, speaks to 939 the Eagle’s Brian Hauswirth at Columbia’s Blue Ridge elementary on August 30, 2022 (file photo courtesy of CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark)

The superintendent of Columbia Public Schools (CPS) has written an open letter to Missouri Governor Mike Parson, saying there is an “unfortunate amount of misinformation” being shared from outside Columbia about Thursday’s diversity celebration. The event included three drag queens who performed before a sold-out crowd that included about 30 CPS students.

CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood’s two-page letter says CPS’ role in the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration is limited to participating in a single portion of the program centered on student writings. Yearwood says CPS students submit personal works about diversity themes that honor and reflect Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts in promoting equality in the face of bigotry.

Thursday’s breakfast and event was sold-out, and Yearwood says about 30 CPS students were among the more than 1,000 people in attendance. Superintendent Yearwood says two CPS parents whose children were in attendance have complained.

Dr. Yearwood also takes exception to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s (R) comments on the event. Bailey slams Superintendent Yearwood and Mayor Buffaloe, saying public officials are required to report instances of child endangerment. Yearwood says any characterization about child endangerment or the event violating state law “is categorically false.” Attorney General Andrew Bailey says transporting students to a drag show likely violates state law. He’s referring to a law approved by Missouri lawmakers in 2022 that criminalized providing certain sexual material to a student. The law took effect in late August.

Yearwood concludes his letter to Governor Parson by writing that “I extend an open invitation to meet and discuss our common aspirations for scholars to achieve at high levels and for our public education system in Missouri to thrive.”

Dr. Yearwood’s letter to the governor has also been sent to CPS employees and parents.

CPS superintendent says contract extension gives him more time to accomplish key goals

January 16, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The superintendent of Columbia Public Schools (CPS) is thankful that the school board has extended his contract through 2026. Dr. Brian Yearwood tells 939 the Eagle that he appreciates the board’s confidence in him.

“There are things that we are continuing to put in place that would impact our scholars. We need to raise the academic bar. And we want to ensure that, again, continue to provide a quality learning environment,” Yearwood says.

Dr. Yearwood is currently in his second year as CPS’ superintendent.

“It takes three to five years for that to occur. So by the extension at least it gives me the time to be able to enact the things that we’re putting into place. I’m very grateful to the board for that,” says Yearwood.

Dr. Yearwood was also praised at the recent Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) board meeting by Boone Hospital Center’s Troy Greer. Mr. Greer told several dozen business and community leaders that he’s working to recruit a cardiologist who has a child with special needs. The applicant had questions about CPS services, and Greer says Dr. Yearwood personally called the man and then put him in touch with CPS personnel who specialize in that area.

Dr. Yearwood also is pleased with last year’s passage of an $80-million bond issue. The voter-approved April 2022 bond issue is funding construction of a new $25-million elementary school in south Columbia.

CPS’ superintendent says donated books provide opportunity for people to elevate in life

September 21, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

MU Health chief operating officer Katrina Lambrecht reads to students at Columbia’s Blue Ridge elementary, as MU Health interim CEO Nim Chinniah and TJ listen (August 30, 2022 file photo courtesy of MU Health photographer Justin Kelley)

The Columbia Public Schools (CPS) superintendent is praising MU Health Care for purchasing 2,600 new books for first and second graders at five CPS elementary schools.

The five elementary schools have the district’s lowest reading-proficiency scores and the highest free and reduced lunch rates in the district. CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood notes the children were ecstatic to receive the new books.

“And that’s what we want. We want our scholars to be excited about reading, about literacy, about immersing themselves. Because then they can read, they can learn more and guess what: the world becomes like their door step,” Dr. Yearwood says.

The five CPS schools receiving books this year are Benton, Blue Ridge, Derby Ridge, Alpha Hart Lewis and Parkade elementary. Dr. Yearwood praises MU Health’s $15,000 donation, telling 939 the Eagle that books provide an opportunity for that person to elevate in life.

“To become whoever, whatever they will choose to be. If they want to be a doctor, lawyer, scientist, teacher. If they want to be a plumber, an electrician … guess what? It’s because of literacy, that’s what we love to see,” says Dr. Yearwood.

The Heart of Missouri United Way says children need ten grade-level books in their home to maintain grade-level reading.

CPS receiving $13-million in federal funding for air quality improvements and other building upgrades

September 12, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

An aerial view of Columbia’s Rock Bridge elementary school (August 2022 file photo courtesy of CPS’ Michelle Baumstark)

Columbia’s school board is set to vote Monday evening on the district’s coronavirus plan for the 2022-2023 school year.

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood and other district officials believe the best opportunity for students to learn is in-person with their teachers in CPS buildings. If there are COVID disruptions, CPS says its priorities will include providing environments that are as safe as possible for students and staff, and to provide high-quality education for students.

CPS custodians plan to clean frequently-touched surfaces and objects like water fountains and doorknobs with district-supplied cleaning and disinfectant products.

CPS plans to maintain adequate supplies of soap, paper towels, hand sanitizers and other items. The district also plans to spend $13-million in federal funding it received for air quality improvements and upgrades to CPS facilities.

The seven-page plan calls for all CPS students and staff to practice handwashing and respiratory etiquette to keep from getting and spreading infectious illnesses. That includes covering coughs and sneezes.