Name: Dan Renfrow
Age: 48
Occupation: Manager of the trust and investment departments for Hawthorn Bank.
Hometown: Jefferson City
Why run? "I am running for school board because I believe as a community it is imperative that we educate all of our students so they not only graduate but are prepared for their next step after high school. ... Whether it is a business, or individuals deciding where to relocate, the quality of the schools will be a factor in their decision. Our children and our community cannot afford to have a school district that provides anything less than a superior education."
Dan Renfrow has numerous attachments to the Jefferson City Public Schools.
Not only did he graduate from Jefferson City High School in 1984, he has two children - a ninth-grader and a fifth-grader - who currently attend school here. His sister is a teacher in the district, and his mother taught for a few years here.
He currently serves as president of the Jefferson City Public Schools Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that raises money to support the district's educational mission.
"So I have quite a few ties to the district," he said.
With an election scheduled for April 7, four challengers and an incumbent are vying for two open seats on the Jefferson City Board of Education. In order of their ballot appearance, the candidates are: Pam Murray, Joy Sweeney, Michael Couty, Renfrow and Adrian Hendricks.
Renfrow believes public education is the foundation upon which communities are built.
"Schools are so important," he said.
Renfrow said he feels a disconnect exists between goals of the district and how those goals are being implemented. Leaders might give voice to what they'd like to see accomplished, but it's "not happening at the teacher and student level."
"When the district leaders and the board talk about "helping kids,' we need to make sure it is really happening," he said.
He said he believes JCPS is suffering from a "broken process."
"That's what I want to see fixed," he said.
Renfrow has managed the Trust Department at Hawthorn Bank in Jefferson City for nine years, and has been with the bank for 13 years. He is a graduate of Westminster College, where he majored in business administration and computer science.
He said he plans to commit himself to the board's duties, if elected.
"I realize there are a number of issues" needing to be dealt with, he said. "I thought long and hard before I decided to do this. It's a very large time commitment, but I will spend the time necessary to get the issues fixed."