Education

Members of the Columbia Board of Education are considering a proposal that would change how student transportation operates within Columbia Public Schools.

The state of Missouri is providing $2.3 million to help build special rooms at five Joplin schools designed to withstand severe weather.

More than 10 years after it was created, the Tiger Spot mosaic in front of MU’s Ellis Library was torn apart and hauled away Monday morning.

The price of student lunches will go up 10 cents starting in the fall of 2012. A 2010 federal requirement says school districts must generate enough revenue to pay for the cost of lunches themselves.

Lunch prices at Columbia Public Schools will rise next year.

Barbara Leonhard, 60, is an instructor in the Intensive English Program and English-language Support Program at MU. In fall of 2008, she met her Chinese student Brandon Du, who practices Tai Chi. Because of their common interests in Tai Chi, they spent a lot of time together. In 2009, Leonhard visited China after being invited by Du’s family.

Jane O’Toole plays more roles in her life than most people around you.

She’s the founder of Xiao Lao Hu (Little Tiger) pre-school; she’s an instructor at the MU Asian Affairs Center; she’s the vice president of Columbia Friends of China; she’s the mom of three kids; she’s also a super Chinese culture fan in her friends’ eyes. In her own words, her life revolves around her passion for China.