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Below the overview of the district are links to KBIA's coverage of Columbia 93 district schools, updated as more stories are published. Columbia 93 at a glanceThe Columbia 93 school district currently includes 32 different schools. In 2014, the district had a k-12 enrollment of 17,204 students, which is 2% of the total k-12 enrollment for the state. Enrollment has been slightly increasing in recent years, 2% since 2011. While a small percent, that amounts to almost 400 more students. There have also been major re-drawing of attendance areas with the addition of Battle High School. Middle school attendance areas shape high school boundaries 00000178-cc7d-da8b-a77d-ec7d2f9e0000The changes have affected all schools in the district, including causing high school attendance to increase and overcrowding at one middle school at least.

Columbia Public Schools purchases property for new school

school buses
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Columbia Public Schools reached a deal to purchase property for new elementary school. The new school is expected to open in 2016 at the corner of Scott Boulevard and Route KK.

Initially, the school district looked into 14 possible sites for the new elementary school in southwest Columbia. After choosing the location at the corner of Scott Boulevard and Route KK, it took over more than three months to negotiate with the property owner.

Community Relations Director Michelle Baumstark said the process took this long because the school district needed to address safety, appropriate infrastructure, access to utility, and the building’s actual size.

“We really wanted to make sure that we were making a good decision and that we’re negotiating to get the best property in the area to address all of those needs.” Baumstark said.

The main reason for new schools was overcrowding. There has been a significant growth in some regions of Columbia and the community has been waiting for the new school’s location, Baumstark said.

The next step is to begin adapting the master design plan to fit the site. Baumstark says she expects the school district to talk with the community about the school’s boundaries and name.