Two candidates for the Jefferson City Public Schools Board of Education have provided more information about themselves and their platforms since filing for the April election Tuesday.
Paul Graham is an attorney who has had a private practice in Mid-Missouri for 35 years, according to his news release. Before practicing law, he taught English composition and literature at Emporia State University in Kansas and at the University of Missouri, as well as legal writing, appellate advocacy and logic at the University of Missouri School of Law. He has also taught courses at Columbia College and Central Methodist University.
In his release, Graham said "his experience with the very tough job of teaching has taught him to look for a way to help more than to criticize."
He supports building a second high school in Jefferson City as "a simple necessity for morale - for teachers, students and the whole community," he said in the release. "Teachers and students all do better when they feel that their community cares about them enough to put skin in the game."
Graham has three grown daughters, all of whom graduated from the JCPS system.
He is also a charter member of the Missouri Eating Disorders Council and has represented families with mental health issues in court and as a legislative advocate.
Don Salcedo is a 17-year Jefferson City resident and a retired teacher with more than 40 years of experience, according to his news release. He has also advocated for teachers and students at the National Education Association and in front of lawmakers.
"I am running because I want to restore the trust and confidence in the school district with the school community," Salcedo said in the release, noting he hopes to "create positive interactions between the community and all schools, creating more cohesiveness.
"Every board proposal should be written from the perspective of, 'Will this help the students and the teachers?'"
Salcedo's news release also calls "good, strong public schools" a "moral imperative" for the community.
Six people - Graham, Salcedo, Steve Bruce, Josh Harmon, Scott Hovis and Lori Massman - filed to run for three vacancies on the school board Tuesday, the first day of filing. Information about Graham and Salcedo was not immediately available at the time.
Filing is open until 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at the JCPS Central Office, 315 E. Dunklin St.