K-12 Education

“We definitely have a bunch of talented kids in our class, athletically and academically,” said Alex Litofsky, one of four valedictorians. “I think we were a pretty special class.”

More than 600 students graduated on Saturday afternoon. The class received more than eight million dollars in scholarships and awards.

A total of 9 valedictorians represent the schools’ 2008 classes. We sat down with them to discuss their most memorable moments and greatest accomplishments.

A record number of students took part in the 2008 graduation ceremony at Columbia's only alternative high school.

Heinrich Leonhard dabs a brush into glaze the color of scrambled eggs and applies it gently to raised shapes on a ceramic tile. “Just a bit of yellow so it’s not all white,” the artist tells the tile’s maker, Abir Siraji, a fourth-grader at Grant Elementary School. “Sometimes limestone comes in all sorts of colors.” Abir’s tile is part of a larger project under way across the fourth grade at Grant as students learn Missouri geography, government and history.

Columbia Public School’s remaining permanent substitute positions may be cut in the next draft of the budget.

Math and literacy coaches, beginner and veteran teachers, outreach counselors, two principals and parents all offered perspectives on what they think is vital to the success of Columbia students.

The Columbia Public School board will meet Monday to vote on proposed boundary lines for the new elementary school and to further discuss the 2008-09 budget.

Steve Calloway sat down recently to answer questions about the voters’ rejection of the levy increase and about life on the new Columbia School Board.

Paul Farmer and Ophelia Dahl, co-founders of Partners In Health, spoke to a Rock Bridge classroom on Tuesday.

Members of the Benton Elementary School K Club began working on additions to the school’s outdoor classroom Tuesday night.

Phyllis Chase, superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, said she will voluntarily cut her $200,340 salary, but has not said what the amount of that cut will be. The school board has been searching for ways to cut $10 million from the 2008-09 budget.

After construction crews hit a gas line, the Columbia Fire Department responded and employees were evacuated for fewer than 30 minutes.

Columbia and Boone County’s joint planning and zoning commissions will hold a public meeting about the site and want a plan to help guide the project’s growth.

Students at Parkade Elementary School speak their minds about what kind of play equipment they would like with the new grant approved by the City Council.

It's an attempt to set up a structure for collective bargaining.

Panelists gave parents advice on protecting their children from dangers on the Internet at the forum hosted by Columbia Public Schools.

Hickman High School students focused their questions on the issues of free and anonymous speech on the Internet.

Columbia Independent School students studying Latin prepared skits and donned togas for the 10th annual celebration of Toga Day.

The Columbia School Board will continue discussion of the 2008-09 budget Thursday. The public may comment.