Layne Stracener is the education reporter at the News Tribune.
Meagan Forck lends a hand in many roles
Teacher, firefighter, farmer, cheerleader, student — Meagan Forck does it all.
Oct. 25 2020 @ 11:33pm
Debate swirls over whether officers' presence benefits, harms educational climate
The main role of school resource officers is to provide security and build relationships with students — but some schools are eliminating them out of concern they present more of a threat than protection.
Oct. 25 2020 @ 12:05am
Local SRO program has existed nearly 25 years
In 1996, Greg White, an officer with the Jefferson City Police Department, wanted to focus on community policing at Jefferson City High School by building ties and working closely with the school community — but he didn't know many people there.
Oct. 24 2020 @ 9:05pm
Versailles school district moves to virtual learning
The Morgan County R-2 School District in Versailles canceled classes Tuesday due to a threat against the district and will switch to virtual learning Thursday due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Oct. 21 2020 @ 4:25pm
Jefferson City middle schools to resume in-seat classes Monday
Lewis and Clark and Thomas Jefferson middle schools in Jefferson City will return to in-seat instruction Monday.
Oct. 21 2020 @ 12:30pm
DESE launches early learning office
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has created an Office of Early Learning, the department announced Tuesday during the State Board of Education meeting.
Oct. 21 2020 @ 12:05am
Free USDA meal program extended at area schools
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently extended a waiver that allows qualifying schools, including four in Mid-Missouri, to provide free meals to children.
Oct. 18 2020 @ 11:04pm
St. Martin Catholic School holds tractor parade for Helpers Week
As part of its "Community Helpers Week," St. Martin Catholic School held a tractor parade Friday where families from the church and school drove their tractors and the preschool and pre-K classes rode in a hay wagon through St. Martins.
Oct. 18 2020 @ 12:05am
Blair Oaks fifth-graders switch to virtual learning as students go under quarantine
The fifth-grade class in the Blair Oaks R-2 School District switched to virtual learning Thursday as about 30 of the 75 fifth-grade students are under quarantine, according to the district.
Oct. 16 2020 @ 12:05am
Several schools agree to classify 'essential' employees
As more teachers are in quarantine and fewer substitutes are available amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some Cole County schools have classified teachers as essential employees to allow quarantined teachers to return to work under certain conditions.
Oct. 15 2020 @ 11:15pm
Distance learning extended for 2 Jefferson City middle schools
The Jefferson City School District is extending distance learning for Lewis and Clark and Thomas Jefferson middle schools by another week.
Oct. 14 2020 @ 5:15pm
Blair Oaks classifies staff as essential workers
The Blair Oaks R-2 School District Board of Education on Tuesday approved a proposal to classify Blair Oaks staff as essential employees, allowing quarantined employees to return to work under certain conditions.
Oct. 13 2020 @ 11:10pm
JC Schools nixes plan to classify teachers as essential employees
Because of concerns from staff and families, the Jefferson City School District is no longer considering classifying teachers as essential employees to help with its staffing shortage.
Oct. 12 2020 @ 11:04pm
Candidates differ on goals for treasurer's office
Four candidates are running for Missouri state treasurer in the Nov. 3 general election: incumbent Republican Scott Fitzpatrick, Democrat Vicki Englund, Libertarian Nick Kasoff and Green Party candidate Joseph Civettini.
Oct. 11 2020 @ 12:05am
JC school board to discuss staffing shortage
The Jefferson City School District Board of Education will vote Monday on a proposal to classify teachers as essential workers to help with a staffing shortage.
Oct. 10 2020 @ 12:05am
Blair Oaks Falcons celebrate homecoming with outdoor event
Students at each school in the Blair Oaks R-2 School District celebrated homecoming during school Friday with a parade throughout the campus and an outdoor assembly.
Oct. 9 2020 @ 11:23pm
JCHS outlines attendance plan for Jays-Crusader game
Jefferson City High School and Helias Catholic High School will play each other tonight in football for the first time.
Oct. 8 2020 @ 9:05pm
More than 180 students take part in Walk to School Day
To celebrate National Walk to School Day, more than 180 students from Cedar Hill, East, Moreau Heights and West elementary schools in Jefferson City joined together with building staff and district administrators to walk to school Wednesday.
Oct. 7 2020 @ 11:27pm
Two Jefferson City middle schools moving to distance learning
Lewis and Clark and Thomas Jefferson middle schools in Jefferson City will temporarily transition to distance learning due to a significant staffing shortage.
Oct. 7 2020 @ 6:39pm
Linn High School moves to partially virtual classroom schedule
Linn High School switched to a partially virtual schedule Wednesday because of COVID-19 cases among students.
Oct. 7 2020 @ 12:05am