We are always happy when parents and members of our community express an interest in supporting public education and ensuring the quality of education our children receive.  We are committed to helping ensure that parents have a productive and continuous presence as partners with the public schools.

Who We Are

We are a group of local parents who support public education and the Columbia Public Schools and work to ensure that the needs of all children are recognized and met.  Our membership is drawn from different income levels and different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Why We Formed

With the defeat of a school funding initiative in the spring of 1998, Columbia PPS organized to meet the need for a community group willing to speak in support of public education and consistently provide timely and accurate information on schools.  We are united in the belief that public schools are an important asset for Columbia.  Our members work to strengthen community support and involvement to maintain our city’s quality public school system.  We also work for ongoing improvement in the schools.

What We Believe

We believe that

§         Strong public schools help sustain both economic growth and property values and thus are fundamental to Columbia’s economic health and stability,

§         Education of our children is a responsibility shared by all members of the community,

§         Parents have both a right and a responsibility to be constructive participants in the decision-making that affects their children’s education,

§         Ongoing community support and involvement is necessary to maintain the quality of our schools, and

§         We must continually work to improve public education for all children, not just our own.

You Can Help

If you are a supporter of public education in our community and find you have similar beliefs, you can help.  Any member of the community who wants to support the Columbia Public Schools is welcome to join Columbia PPS.  You don’t need to be a parent.  You can help with our work in many ways:

§         Become involved in one of our committees or projects,

§         Attend Board of Education meetings,

§         Tell others about the good things that happen in our public schools,

§         When problems arise share concerns and work cooperatively with others to find solutions, or

§         Make a financial contribution to Columbia PPS.

To become a member, please contact us by:

§         Writing to Columbia Parents for Public Schools, PO Box 30546, Columbia, MO  65205.

§         Emailing us at cpps@socket.net.

“Accountability for the schools, their employees and their funding rests with us . . . .  Our children’s future depends on the improvement of public schools.  And school improvement depends on our participation.”

                                                                                    ~ Woodrow Wilson