School board filing began Tuesday and will continue for most of December.
For the four public school districts in Cole County, a number of incumbents said they planned to run again, while some decided to step down, and a few new names appeared on the first day of filing.
Jefferson City School District
Two Jefferson City School Board candidates had filed as of 3 p.m. Tuesday: incumbents Scott Hovis and Brad Bates.
Hovis told the News Tribune the district is "making great progress" and is headed in the right direction under Superintendent Bryan McGraw.
Bates said he's seen plenty of progress in the district, but that more remains to be done.
"I'm very pleased with (the) increased number of students taking advantage of Advanced Placement courses and want to see us build on that interest. With the soon to be realized STEM school at Thorpe Gordon, we are also providing younger kids an opportunity to be challenged in the classroom and be exposed to fields they might not have known much about before," Bates wrote in an announcement. "It's exciting for sure, but this is no time to relax. Our kids and families are counting on us every day to do our very best."
Bates also shared he wants to focus on teacher recruitment and retention, reducing classroom disruptions and emphasizing better academic outcomes. He has served on a number of community boards and commissions, and has been involved in district initiatives like the construction of Pioneer Trail Elementary School.
Current board member Lori Massman said she had decided not to run again.
"I feel we are headed in a positive direction and our new superintendent has done a great job, and I have full confidence in him that our district will become a District of Champions under his leadership," Massman wrote. " I will continue to support him and our district and advocate for all students and our educators."
Blair Oaks School District
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the following people had filed for Blair Oaks School Board: Lucas A. Fitzpatrick and Doug Moeller.
Moeller said he wanted to run again to "keep things rolling" and work to "make the best better."
Current board member Nicki Russell told the News Tribune she most likely would not run again. Russell shared that she had served as an officer for the entirety of her time on the board and that serving on the board was a significant time commitment. She reflected on the positive accomplishments of the district during her time, including the creation of a preschool, construction of the high school, expansion of sports programs and receipt of awards like the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award.
"My word of advice for anyone wanting to run for the board would be to get informed about district issues by attending meetings and to be respectful of the current board and those candidates running against you," Russell said. She said she intends to "enjoy being a patron in our district, a mom at the 2024 graduation, a fan at sporting events, and just living in the moment of 'We are Blair Oaks.'"
Current board member Jason Paulsmeyer said he was undecided on whether he would run again and would likely make a decision closer to the last few days of filing.
Cole R-1 School District
Three people filed for Russellville's school board on the first day as of 3 p.m.: Christina Wood, Adam Weber, and Aaron Wyss.
Adam Weber, an incumbent, said he hopes to finish the construction after the new bond issue was passed and is looking forward to working with the new administration.
Wyss, another incumbent, said, "I feel that the board has done a very good job of keeping Cole R-1 the kind of school the community wants, and of moving toward an even better future with our administrative hires and building plans." He said he wants to help the school manage its finances during economic difficulty.
Current board member Ritchie Jenkins intends to run again and said the school district has built positive momentum through successful bond issues and building efforts.
Cole R-5 School District
No one had yet filed at 4:45 p.m. on the first day of filing at the Cole R-5 School District in Eugene.
Current board member Spencer Hoskins said he intends to run again to help the district as it continues to expand with a new preschool.
Current board member Deanna Smith said she planned to run again and said she was enthusiastic about the progress being made in the district. She said she looked forward to further development under the new administration.
The News Tribune was unsuccessful in its attempts to reach board members Matt Hale and Derek Sommerer for this story.
See also:
Jefferson City candidates line up early for April municipal filing