2 more candidates announce bid for Jefferson City Board of Education

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two more people have announced their intent to run for spots on the Jefferson City Board of Education.

Ryan Towner and Gretchen Duckworth both announced their campaigns in Thursday press releases. Trent Vallandingham and Michelle Rodemeyer announced their bids earlier this week. Three seats on the board are up for election. Candidates can begin filing across the state on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Ryan Towner

His press release says he was born and raised in Jefferson City and is a 1999 graduate of Jefferson City High School. He has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy from William Jewel College, as well as a master of business administration degree from William Woods University. Four of his children are currently students in the district.

He is the president and owner of Towner Communication Systems, the release says. The release says he has served in community service roles at the United Way Fund Allocation Committee, Jefferson City Traffic and Transportation Committee, Concord Baptists Church, State Technical College Advisory Board, Nichols Career Center Advisory Board, Columbia Area Career Center Advisory Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m running because I love this community, and I’m passionate about giving every single child in Jefferson City the absolute best education possible,” he wrote in the release. “These aren’t just seats on a board — these are our kids’ futures. I will fight every day to make sure our schools are excellent, our teachers are supported, and our taxpayers’ dollars are respected. This is personal to me, and I’m all in.”

Gretchen Duckworth

Duckworth’s release says she has lived in Jefferson City for 13 years and three of her children are graduates of the Jefferson City School District and a fourth is currently a student.

She works as a manager of human resources at the Department of Corrections and has previously worked “as a global customer service director for a Central Missouri company assessing wastewater impact throughout the country,” the release says.

She is a founding member of the Jefferson City Chamber’s Young Professionals and is also the founder and executive director of the Rise Up Foundation, according to the release.

“I have always had a heart for service and a desire to see our kids have the best opportunities to thrive. Our school district has shown improvement in the last several years, but that improvement hasn’t included everyone,” she is quoted in the release. “If you talk to working families, regular folks, many are struggling right now and they are worried about the future being creating for their kids and grandkids."