Columbia Public Schools financial picture is in good shape, per an audit report expected for presentation at Monday night’s board of education meeting.
A letter in the board meeting packet from interim Superintendent Chris Belcher notes that Kerber, Eck, Braeckel LLP issued an unmodified, “clean,” opinion on district financial statements provided to the independent auditor for the fiscal year that ended June 30.
A letter from KEP notes all financial statements were presented fairly.
APR study
The district also worked through annual performance reports from the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education and will provide a further update to the board during Monday’s meeting. The district announced its overall score Nov. 25.
More: Here’s how Columbia elementary schools were rated in annual performance reports
School boundary exceptions
When the school board approved changes to school attendance area boundaries in July, it did so knowing some student exceptions would be necessary. The proposed exceptions are going up for a vote Monday.
Fifth- and eighth-grade students and their siblings are eligible to remain at their current school for an additional year under specific conditions.
The three conditions are:
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Rising fifth graders, those currently in fourth grade who will be in fifth grade for the 2025-26 school year;
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Rising eighth graders, those in seventh grade who will be in eighth grade in 2025-26; and
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Siblings of rising fifth and eighth graders who wish to remain at the same school as their sibling for the 2025-26 year only.
The exception only will apply for the 2025-26 school year, transportation services will not be available to students who participate in the exception opt-in, and families must notify the district from Jan. 13 through Feb. 5 if the exception is wanted.
Notification will be done via the CPS 2025-26 attendance area exception form provided by the district. Families with questions can contact the district’s Student Support Department at 573-214-3400.
More: Here’s how Columbia middle, high schools scored on annual performance reports
Interim superintendent contract
The board also plans to finalize a $70,000 contract through June 30 with Chris Belcher, who will serve as interim superintendent following the retirement of Brian Yearwood on Nov. 22.
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on X, formerly Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia school board voting on school attendance boundary exceptions