Wednesday was back to school day for more than 60,000 students in the Columbus public schools. While the kids are focused on class work and seeing friends, the district's leaders have their eyes on improving test scores and winning approval of an operations levy slated for the November ballot.
This school year, Superintendent Gene Harris is again resolving to improve graduation rates and lift student achievement in all grades. The district remains on Academic Watch under the state standards rating system. And more than 30 schools are classified as school improvement meaning their test scores are not meeting necessary milestones.
The district is asking for a 6.95 mill levy, which would raise $62-million each year for operations.
