Education

Keep up with Columbia public schools

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 renews bus contract

KBIA | By Marcel Clark

Published October 16, 2013 at 4:24 PM CDT

The Columbia School Board is renewing its yearly contract with First Student. The transportation system for elementary and high school students is constantly changing to make the out-of-school environment as pleasant as possible.

First Student Manager Craig Caldwell said the recent change from a two tier system to a three tier system is expected to prevent tension on the buses.

“The high schools and the middle schools being split up, that’s made a big difference for us," he said. "Last year we were combining those schools and they would drive together and I think that created some issues there with the age difference and the different schools,” Caldwell said.

The District predicts a nearly 50 percent decrease in discipline incidents in 2014.

The positive changes are not only for the students, but for the drivers as well. Columbia Public Schools Spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said opportunities for the bus drivers will open many opportunities.

“Becoming a bus driver is more attractive now because you can accrue more hours in the job that you could previously. Previously, you could not drive more than one route,” said Baumstark.

Along with the expected amount of school buses to increase in 2014, five buses will test out a new wi-fi system. This will provide a productive environment for students that are involved in extracurricular activities.