Comobuz.com publisher Mike Murphy will moderate Monday night’s Columbia school board candidate debate inside Mizzou’s Cornell Hall. He expects a good crowd for the event, which begins at 6:30 at Bush auditorium, inside Cornell. The seven candidates on the CPS ballot are expected to be there. They are, in ballot order, Paul Harper, John Potter, incumbent Christopher Horn, James Edward Gordon, John Lyman, April Ferrao and former State Representative Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport). During Saturday’s interview, host Fred Parry and Murphy criticized the questions being asked at other forums, saying nothing is being asked about CPS academic performance. Mr. Murphy plans to ask about CPS’ 70 percent score on the DESE annual performance review. Murphy tells listeners that 80 percent of Missouri schools ranked higher than CPS. Mr. Parry and Mr. Murphy also discussed CPS superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood, the Wayne Sells CPS case, Columbia’s trash issue and Columbia city council races:
CPS and its bus contractor are short about 20 bus drivers
Columbia’s school board is expected to approve a one-year contract extension with Student Transportation Services (STA) for bus transportation service at Monday night’s meeting.
The board approved a three-year agreement with STA in December 2019, with two one-year renewal options. CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood is recommending approval of the first one-year renewal option to account for salary increases to recruit and retain bus drivers. The agreement’s $965,000 cost will be covered by CPS’ transportation operating budget.
Meantime, Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and Student Transportation Services (STA) are about 20 drivers short now. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that they currently need about 20 more bus drivers to cover routes, charters for athletics and have substitutes. She says Columbia’s unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation. Ms. Baumstark notes that’s a good thing but it can make it difficult to find people to fill openings.
STA has a large sign outside its Columbia Clark lane facility advertising positions. They have also placed flyers on some Columbia apartment complex bulletin boards, such as the Links, regarding drivers. The flyers note wages start at $18.50 per hour and that there’s a paid CDL training program. Applicants have to be at least 21, with no more than three driving violations in past three years.
Applicants can apply in-person at 3511 Clark lane or by calling (573) 214-3860.
The board meets tonight at 6:30 at the Aslin building.
CPS attendance and math scores to be highlighted by superintendent tonight
Columbia’s school board will hear a report this evening from the superintendent about the recent state annual performance review.
Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood tells 939 the Eagle that attendance issues contributed to CPS scoring 70 percent on the review. Dr. Yearwood says attendance is down since COVID and emphasizes that the district is increasing visits to homes and is also making more phone calls. He says CPS is also doing celebrations for students who attend class at least 90 percent of the time.
Dr. Yearwood will also address math in tonight’s report. He says that nationally, school districts have been impacted in math scores after COVID. CPS is expanding its tutoring opportunities in math.
Dr. Yearwood will also highlight positives in the report. He says the number of CPS students receiving advanced credit is high and that the district received nearly all available points in the area of continuous improvement, which is a newly-designated area.
(AUDIO): Yearwood: CPS renewing its focus on attendance, following DESE report
Attendance issues contributed to Columbia Public Schools (CPS) scoring just 70 percent on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) annual performance review.
CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood tells 939 the Eagle that attendance is down since COVID.
“We are working on attendance especially for our scholars that should be in attendance 90 percent of the time. We dropped there and we are working on … we’ve put things in place to increase. We’ve increased visits, we’ve increased notifications, calling,” Dr. Yearwood says.
Dr. Yearwood says CPS is also doing celebrations for students who attend school at least 90 percent of the time. He says the district must maintain its focus on boosting attendance. Dr. Yearwood notes attendance is critical to learning.
“Every day they’re absent it’s actually three days, because you have to look at review from the day before, then the current learning and then also preparing for the next day’s lessons. So one day of absence is really three days of being absent,” says Dr. Yearwood.
He also addressed the issue briefly before dozens of Columbia business leaders and elected officials during Wednesday’s REDI board meeting.
(AUDIO): Outside agencies like Burrell have reached out to CPS after student’s death
A celebration of life service for the Rock Bridge student killed in this week’s motorcycle crash is Friday afternoon in Columbia.
The 15-year-old student’s service is tomorrow afternoon at 3 at the Crossing, which is located on Grindstone Parkway. Visitation starts at 2. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ronald McDonald House. Others plan to plant trees to remember the victim.
Meantime, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce president praises the way Columbia Public Schools (CPS) has handled this week’s tragic traffic death of a Rock Bridge baseball player. Chamber president Matt McCormick addressed the issue during Wednesday’s Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) board meeting, and broke down while doing so. CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood tells 939 the Eagle that extra counselors are back at Rock Bridge this morning.
“Whenever we have a loss of life especially you know in this situation, it’s very heart-wrenching. And we have to ensure that, number one, family, we reach out to the family. We have to make sure that our scholars, our teachers, our staff. Because you know teaching, it’s not just a job. It’s a calling, it’s a passion,” Dr. Yearwood says.
Superintendent Yearwood says outside agencies like Burrell have reached out to CPS to offer additional help, and he appreciates that. Dr. Yearwood says the death has been devastating for students, teachers and staff.
“Teaching … it’s not just a job. It’s a calling, it’s a passion. And we interact with our scholars at very deep levels. We get to know them personally. We get to know what their likes, dislikes are. And when we lose a scholar, it’s like losing a brother or a sister. It’s very heart-wrenching,” says Dr. Yearwood.
Mr. McCormick praises Dr. Yearwood and Rock Bridge for how they’re responding.
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