Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood

(LISTEN): CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO” Roundtable”

September 10, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood says his aim is for CPS to be the best school district in Missouri. Superintendent Yearwood joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Dr. Yearwood tells listeners that the district’s back-to-school convocation event at Mizzou Arena was well-received by CPS staff. This year’s convocation theme was inspiring greatness. CPS’ first-day enrollment was 19,157, an increase of more than 350 from last year. CPS is currently Missouri’s fifth-largest school district. Dr. Yearwood also addressed the issue of COVID, saying the district’s priority for students and staff is safety. Dr. Yearwood also emphasizes that he wants the district’s scholars to remain in-seat, as opposed to remote learning:

Columbia’s school board set to vote Monday on SRO contract

August 14, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The superintendent of Columbia Public Schools (CPS) supports approving the school resource officer contract for CPS.

Dr. Brian Yearwood will deliver a safety report this (Monday) evening about the SRO program and about driver’s education. Dr. Yearwood says school resource officers at Battle, Hickman and Rock Bridge high schools are important to staff and scholar safety. Under the agreement, two officers will be assigned to Muriel Battle high school, with one each being assigned to Hickman and Rock Bridge.

Primary SRO responsibilities include overall safety of the building, building relationships with students, staff and parent groups and reducing incidents by being a visible presence in the building.

Today’s board meeting begins at 5:30 at Boone Electric headquarters on Rangeline. That’s because the Aslin building’s board meeting room is still being renovated.

(AUDIO): CPS’ Field building will continue to house gifted program, Yearwood says

June 20, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The Columbia Public Schools (CPS) superintendent wants district patrons to know that CPS’ Field building on Rangeline will remain a school building, when a new health care center opens in the building later this year.

CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood tells 939 the Eagle that won’t change.

“We have a great program there, our gifted program. That will continue. We just did, there are two rooms that were not being utilized fully, so those are the two rooms we will be taking over,” Dr. Yearwood says.

Dr. Yearwood expects the new health facility to open by December. It will be available to all CPS students, and Dr. Yearwood predicts it will improve health and vision for students, as well as boosting learning and attendance.

“Those are the two rooms that we will be taking over and turning them into not only a health clinic but an optometry clinic with licensed optometrists, doctors that will help take care of our scholars,” says Dr. Yearwood.

Columbia’s school board has voted to approve a 12-page memorandum of understanding to establish the primary care health center. It will be located in the Field building and will offer preventative visits, vision services, sports physicals, counseling and more.

Former CPS teacher Hayes to be sworn-in tonight; Columbia’s school board set to vote on budget

June 12, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s school board will receive its newest member at tonight’s meeting at the Aslin building on West Worley.

The board has chosen Karen Hayes as the board member to replace former member Katherine Sasser, who resigned in May. Columbia Public Schools (CPS) superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood will swear-in Ms. Hayes at 6:30 this evening. Ms. Hayes says she wants to bring a working-class viewpoint to the board, and another priority for her is focusing on the needs of students with disabilities.

Ms. Hayes has lived in CPS for more than 30 years. She envisions district students having portfolios showcasing their work throughout their academic career at CPS.

The board is also set to vote tonight on a proposed $371-million budget. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark says the district remains financially sound and has used long-range financial planning to develop the budget. Ms. Baumstark describes the district as a model for school districts across the country for budget development, transparency and management.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 at the Aslin building.

1,331 students to graduate from CPS high schools this weekend

May 19, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood will be at all four CPS high school graduation ceremonies during the next two days, starting this (Friday) morning with Douglass high school’s graduation at Missouri Theatre.

82 Douglass seniors will graduate at 10 this morning. Hickman’s 422 graduates will walk across the stage at 7 this evening at Mizzou Arena. Battle and Rock Bridge seniors graduate tomorrow at Mizzou Arena: Battle at 11 am and Rock Bridge at 6 pm.

CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that tickets are not required at the graduations, and that’s why the larger ones are held at Mizzou Arena. She says CPS will have live streams.