The Columbia School Board gathered earlier in the week for its regular April meeting, with the board approving a field trip for the Columbia High School Science Club and several other items.

The meeting took place last Wednesday since the Columbia FFA Banquet was held during the board’s usual Thursday meeting time.

Among the first action items addressed by the board was a field trip to Fermilab near Chicago set to take place June 20.

Discussion centered around an overview of the trip, and it was noted the Fermilab facility features a particle accelerator, with students able to speak with scientists at the site on a free tour.

Columbia Superintendent of Schools Chris Grode spoke highly of the experience, having visited Fermilab when he was in high school.

The board approved the trip, amended the item slightly in order to provide a larger bus so as to accommodate the large group of students who had expressed interest in attending.

Also approved by the board was the final calendar for the 2023-24 school year, with the final day of the year being pushed ahead as the district took an emergency day due to the recent solar eclipse.

Additionally, the board approved the athletic trainer agreement with ATI for a one-year contract. Discussion touched on district interest in hiring its own athletic trainer sometime in the future.

The board also approved the largely unchanged student fees for the 2024-25 school year, the annual consolidated district plan concerning local parochial schools, the board meeting schedules for the 2024-2025 school year, the first reading of board policies press issue 114 and the first reading of stipend job descriptions such as coaches and clubs.

Following an executive session, the board also approved administrative and non-union raises in the district.

Early in the meeting, the board heard from CHS Principal Brian Reeves about a number of recent and upcoming events, largely centered around activities for graduating seniors.

In her report, Columbia Assistant Superintendent of Schools Alyssa Smith offered several shout-outs to district staff and faculty, also speaking briefly about ongoing efforts toward curriculum development in the district.

“Next we have math going on with curriculum mapping and alignment and all that, really just fine-tuning our essential standards with our focus skills and our assessments, making sure we’re getting good-quality stuff,” Smith said. “Hopefully before I leave, but, if not, we’ll have it all laid out for whoever follows me to bring to you guys to present the new curriculum maps.”

At the top of his report, Grode commended Smith for having recently received her doctorate and noted that the Snow Angels had raised $72,161 during the recent St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser against childhood cancer – Grode had participated and gotten his head shaved.

Grode also mentioned that the district’s PTA is seeking a vice president and secretary, urging anyone who is interested to reach out.

“Anybody with a child or who wants to be a part of the PTA, they need a vice president and a secretary,” Grode said. “The things that the PTA does for this district, the funds that they bring us, the trivia nights we get to look smart at – or not so smart, in my case – it’s a good organization, and we’d love to see some leadership step up for that.”

Amid the evening’s action items, Grode also addressed the low enrollment the district is currently observing for incoming kindergartners.

“Currently our number of kindergartners that are identified and registered is strangely low, like, half of what we’ve had in the past,” Grode said. “I’m confident that this is not a year where children weren’t born, so if you know some kindergartners, please let Eagleview know.”

Toward the end of the meeting, the board briefly discussed the facility study at the high school.

Grode reported positively about progress on phase one of the project, with planning for phase two taking some time but also going well.

Work on the high school’s parking lot was also brought up, and it was indicated the asphalt work should be scheduled soon.

Columbia School Board President Greg Meyer also spoke about the project at the high school, noting how Columbia Assistant City Engineer Tim Ahrens had been inspecting the ongoing project and commending members of the board for their efforts as well.

“We’ve got a lot of eyes on the project, and it’s nice to have some hands on,” Meyer said. “Somebody figured out we might have a problem with the curve, and we checked it out, measured, made sure we’re holding their feet to the fire.”