Dr. Erick Pruitt, currently the deputy chief of high schools for Chicago Public Schools
Dr. Chace Ramey, currently the chief operating officer in Iowa City Community School District
Dr. Harold Brian Yearwood, currently the chief operations officer for Manor Independent School District in Manor, Texas
Ray & Associates, the firm hired by the district to run the candidate search, moderated the forum.
The forum included questions from the public that were previously submitted for each candidate to answer. These questions regarded important topics such as how each candidate will get to know CPS students and staff, as well as what their leadership will look like.
Columbia Public Schools Superintendent candidates answer public s questions during forum abc17news.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abc17news.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The vote passed unanimously.
The start date of the 5-day, in-person learning would be April 5, after spring break concludes.
Currently, elementary schools within the CPS system have a four-day in-person learning system, with Wednesdays reserved for online learning. Middle and high school students are currently on a hybrid plan, with in-person classes two days per week and online via Zoom two days per week. Special education students have served in district programs in-person, 5 days a week since September.
Under the new plan, all classes will return to in-person learning for five days per week. Students have not been in class full-time since mid-March of 2020.Â