Newcomer candidate for Jefferson City School Board Mike Harvey said his top priorities would be excellence in education, offering students opportunities that keep them interested in public education, and highlighting the importance of the school system in the community, if elected.
Harvey said he wants to focus more district resources on academics, and "maybe a little less on sports."
Many students don't play sports, and students need a good education, he said.
Harvey said when he was growing up, it was a given that students would go to college after graduation.
"But I think, quite frankly, Nichols Career Center offers a great opportunity for many youngsters to move into different areas that aren't necessarily four-year college education," he said. It's important to get students excited about staying in the public school system, he added.
"I think it's extremely important that we show our school system as an asset, very much an asset to the community, and take pride in it," he said.
Harvey brings a background of automotive dealership finance and a career at Central Bank. Harvey has lived in the area since 1985 and is a current resident of Holts Summit.
Harvey has an extensive background in public service. He served four terms on the Cole County Republican Central Committee, four terms as a First Ward councilman, and 1 1/2 terms as a Holts Summit alderman.
"I've been on quite a few boards, got 19 years of public service, and in leadership roles. So I think I could be an asset to the board for those that...haven't had that much experience, as I have," Harvey said. "I think I've got the skills to be a good member of this school board."
Harvey said he's excited to see another candidate from the Holts Summit community.
"Obviously our board members need to represent the entire district, but at the same time, there's areas of the district that I think probably need to be addressed, and I think it's important that the board take those up and not concentrate too much on one area..." Harvey said, adding that the district needs to make its funds available to all parts of the district.
Harvey didn't cite any specific areas that needed attention, but said allocating resources fairly helps new business grow in the Jefferson City area.