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CPS superintendent sends letter to parents after drag queen controversy; encourages return to civil conversation

February 2, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe (second from left) poses with performers after the January 19, 2023 Columbia Values Diversity Celebration. Mayor Buffaloe tweeted after the event that “as hate crimes against drag show locations and performers are being committed in other communities, we want to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all” (photo courtesy of Columbia Mayor Buffaloe’s Twitter page)

The Columbia Public Schools (CPS) superintendent has written a letter to CPS families that apologizes to parents frustrated about the level of communication regarding a January 19^th diversity breakfast event that included three drag queens who performed before district students.

The event at Columbia’s Holiday Inn Expo Center, which was organized by the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs, has been blasted by Missouri’s GOP governor and attorney general and by some CPS parents.

Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood’s letter says that for some, the event demonstrated the importance of inclusion. He also apologizes to parents who’ve expressed frustration about the level of communication provided to parents. Dr. Yearwood’s letter says CPS will review its permission slip process that incorporates feedback from parents.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) says transporting students to a drag show likely violates state law. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe has said that they wanted to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all.

Dr. Yearwood’s letter also encourages “a return to civil and respectful conversation and further express my support of every scholar in our school district.”

Mayor Buffaloe has defended the January 19 breakfast, tweeting that “drag is a cross-cultural art form with a long and rich history that is fun and encourages self-expression.” The mayor says that as hate crimes against drag show locations and performers are being committed elsewhere, she and others wanted to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all.

(AUDIO): U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) discusses packer legislation and other farm issues on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

February 1, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) has filed new federal legislation aimed at increasing meat processing capacity in Missouri and nationwide. Congressman Alford’s bill is titled the “Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act.” Congressman Alford tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the bill would increase meat processing capacity by allowing livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional packing facilities. The Missouri Pork Association and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association have endorsed Congressman Alford’s legislation. Both organizations are headquartered in Columbia:

Police looking for missing Columbia teenager

February 1, 2023 By andy humphrey

Police are searching for an 18-year old girl from Columbia who went missing late last week.

Officers say Elexis Martin has not been seen since last Thursday around 2 p.m. She was last seen near a home on Garth Avenue and Ash Street. She was wearing a pink and blue tie-dye hoodie and pink athletic pants.

Call Columbia police if you have any info on where she is.

(AUDIO): Columbia’s Jabberwocky says diversity award gets to its core mission

February 1, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe (left) congratulates Jabberwocky Studios executive director Linda Schust and board member Jeff Sossamon (January 19, 2023 photo courtesy of Jabberwocky)

A popular Columbia nonprofit that provides youth and children with high-quality free or low cost programming in art and dance has received a diversity award.

Jabberwocky Studios was honored at the recent Columbia Values Diversity celebration. Jabberwocky also provides high-quality free or low-cost programming in theatre and STEAM. Founder and executive director Linda Schust tells 939 the Eagle that she’s attended the celebration for years, noting it gets to the core of Jabberwocky’s mission to build equity and inclusion in Columbia.

“To have won the award is incredibly humbling and joyful for us, because it’s an award that recognizes us for doing what is at the core of our mission,” Schust says.

Columbia’s Jabberwocky Studios are located on Grand. Students explore the arts in-depth. This is resident artist Joe Schlottach (left) and Jason Stephens, a CARE intern (September 2022 file photo courtesy of Jabberwocky’s Linda Schust)

Jabberwocky’s studio is on Grand, near the Business Loop. It works to ensure that dancing, painting and performance arts are accessible to all students, no matter their background. It was founded eight years ago by Ms. Schust, who remains executive director. While she’s thrilled they received an award at the Columbia Values Diversity celebration, she has additional goals for this year.

“Because we’ve had some new board members come on and we’ve had some rearrangement of areas of responsibility within the staff, I’m really looking forward to this year as a year of growth,” says Schust.

Ms. Schust notes Jabberwocky’s motto is “Good enough is not good enough.” She hopes to rejuvenate registrations for some programs that haven’t bounced back from COVID. Finances can be a barrier for some families. Jabberwocky has implemented a tuition waiver program.

best of columbia

February 1, 2023 By Hannah Adkisson