Three seats up for grabs among seven candidates in Jefferson City Board of Education race

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Seven newcomers are looking to fill almost half of the Jefferson City Board of Education on Tuesday.

Candidates Cierra Griffin, Trent Vallandingham, Ryan Towner, Kris Scheperle, Michelle Rodemeyer, Gretchen Duckworth and James Kindred Sr. are the candidates in the race.

Hot topics for the board have included teacher retention, rising expenses and student behavior. Candidates also have varying focuses ranging from AI use in classes to mental health support and student attendance.

April's election follows the departure of President Erika Leonard in January and outgoing members Brad Bates, Scott Hovis and Suzanne Luther.

ABC 17 News reached out to all the candidates on Tuesday morning. Vallandingham, Towner, and Duckworth reported voting the morning of election day. Griffin and Duckworth cast their ballots during early voting the week prior.

Griffin, Duckworth and Rodemeyer are also hosting watch parties. Griffin's takes place at Indigo Buffalo, Duckworth's is at Towne Grill and Rodemeyer is hosting at West Main Pizza.

Absentee ballot results from Cole County shows Rodemeyer has an early lead with 244 votes, followed by Griffin with 216, Duckworth has 192 and Scheperle has 185.

For more information on the Jefferson City Board of Education race, visit ABC 17's Voter Guide.