Columbia Board of Education candidates stress transparency amid superintendent’s abrupt exit
EDITOR'S NOTE: A reference to Brian Yearwood not being mentioned at an event has been removed.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The two candidates so far for Columbia Board of Education are pledging to prioritize transparency after the exit of a superintendent was shrouded in secrecy.
The lack of transparency surrounding the exit of Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood prompted business executive Ken Rice to enter the race. Erica Dickson also lists transparency as one of her main campaign planks.
Rice, the chief operating officer for Pickleman's Franchising, added his name Monday to the list of candidates for the two seats up for election in April. Rice said he had heard concerns from educators about CPS but the abruptness and secrecy with which Yearwood left convinced him to run.
"What really was the straw that broke the camel’s back was the lack of transparency ... and what seems to be a wrongful termination and a firing of Dr. Yearwood," Rice told ABC 17 News.
Dickson filed last week -- the first candidate to do so. Her website also lists accountability and innovation, in addition to transparency, as key campaign planks.
Dickson is the founder of the Mid-Missouri Black Doula Collective and a mother of three including a Battle High School graduate and current Battle student, according to her website.
CPS announced last month that Yearwood would leave the district at the end of the year. Former superintendent Chris Belcher took over as interim superintendent immediately and Yearwood was not at the district's celebration of improved scores on state standards.
The district is paying Yearwood more than $660,000 in a separation agreement.
Rice has a long career in restaurant management and has lived in Columbia working for Pickleman's for three years. The restaurant began in Columbia and now has stores in seven states.
Dickson worked for CPS from 2016 to last summer, culminating in a job as assistant director of student services.
Two seats currently held by Blake Willoughby and Suzette Waters are up for election on April 8. Filing for school boards across Mid-Missouri continues until Dec. 31.
