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You’ll have a chance this afternoon to see a design of the new $25-million elementary school that will be built in south Columbia, next to John Warner middle school.
Columbia Public Schools (CPS) patrons approved an $80-million bond issue at the ballot box in 2022, which contains $25-million for the new elementary. CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood is encouraging you to show up today.
“On September 5, September 5 from 3 to 6 (pm) at John Warner middle school, there will be a showing of the proposed elementary school design. And we encourage all community, parents, teachers, staff members whomever to come by and take a look. And maybe if there are some suggestions or questions, we’d love to entertain that,” Dr. Yearwood says.
Superintendent Yearwood spoke to 939 the Eagle’s Fred Parry. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that the new elementary is slated for opening in 2024. She notes it’s currently in the design phase and that the project still needs to be bid.
Meantime, Dr. Yearwood says his aim is for CPS to be the best school district in Missouri. He says the district’s August back-to-school convocation event at Mizzou Arena was well-received by CPS staff.
“When school started this first week, this was the first time that there was a level of calm, a level of confidence and just a great way to begin school. And I think that’s because of the follow-through based upon what was heard at the convocation,” says Dr. Yearwood.
This year’s convocation theme was inspiring greatness. CPS’ first-day enrollment was 19,157, an increase of more than 350 from last year. CPS is currently Missouri’s fifth-largest school district, with enrollment skyrocketing by more than 2,000 in the past 12 years.
