Four candidates are running for two seats on the Jefferson City Public Schools Board of Education incumbents Michael Couty and Pam Murray and newcomers Ken Enloe and Lindsey Rowden.
The News Tribune presented each of the four candidates up for election April 3 with a question submitted by community member Jennifer Carroll: Being part of an effective board means working and compromising with others, even when you disagree. How will you collaborate with others if elected? If you are an incumbent, provide facts on how you have worked collaboratively and what was achieved.
Responses, limited to 150 words, are in the order that candidates will appear on the ballot.
Pam Murray: "The board has seven members with unique experiences and perspectives; decision-making should celebrate this diversity of thought by encouraging discussion so that after a vote is taken, the body can unite around the ultimate decision. This only happens in an atmosphere of mutual respect where all are included. The Missouri Sunshine Law encourages this process by only permitting board discussion during noticed meetings with a record of discussion.
"Examples of past collaborations where I took the lead include:
"Enacting a policy requiring the board to state its opinion on tax abatement requests before administrators act in the name of the board;
"Having teacher representatives on the Policy Committee to take advantage of their expertise and not limit their input to three minutes at a board meeting, regardless of the number of policies presented;
"Visiting schools within established policy (I was blocked from doing this when I first took office)."
Ken Enloe: "This is an important question because we're at a pivotal time with education in Jefferson City. As members of the Board of Education approach opportunities and challenges we send a strong message to the community, district employees and our students. I've been attending board meetings since the summer of 2017, and the absence of a cooperative approach has been apparent. I believe it is time for a change.
"I have said consistently that I want to lead with a positive approach and demonstrate a spirit that brings forward the best from everyone. I believe it is possible, and necessary, to hold true to your core values and beliefs but work with others in a collaborative approach to accomplish the goals of the organization. I have done that throughout my career in positions of leadership in religious, civic, public and private sector organizations."
Michael Couty: "Effective and essential communication skills are crucial for collaboration of a successful board. I collaborate by listening and discussing our goals and objectives with mutual respect, so all members have an equal opportunity to provide and contribute their views. I accept the consensus. Other skills needed when collaborating is authenticity, compromise, tolerance, reliability and being team player.
"One example of my ability to work collaboratively with the board is when I presented the idea of streaming board meetings. Some members embraced the initiative and others opposed based upon the costs other districts paid. I researched, gathered data and presented the costs local organizations, companies and commissions spent. Our technology director's cost analysis determined installing a system was cost effective and could be used at alternative sites within the district. The board voted unanimously to live stream board meetings. Since October 2017, there's been an average of 200 viewings per month."
Lindsey Rowden: "I believe that the most important part in working with a group is having the ability to build strong relationships. I have spent my career in sales and community service and have worked very hard to perfect this skill. When having strong relationships, compromising comes easy. Of course you will disagree at times, but working through opinions and options to get to the best solution should be the goal. I am currently serving my second term with the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation (Commission), and we have recently been in collaboration with Lincoln University. I am very proud of The Linc project and the work we were able to complete as a team. We worked together to provide exactly what I think the community was asking for."