Two incumbents elected to the Jefferson City Board of Education

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

UPDATE: Ken Enloe and Lindsey Rowden both secured re-election to the board, each with 39% of the vote. Shadrick secured 20% of the total vote for a spot.Enloe and Rowden will both serve their second term on the Board of Education for an additional three years.

Tuesday's election for the Jefferson City Board of Education has three candidates running for two spots on the board.

Ken Enloe and Lindsey Rowden are currently both on the Jefferson City Board of Education and seeking reelection. Ian Shadrick is the third candidate running for a spot on the Jefferson City Board of Education. If elected, the two candidates who secure spots will be serving one term each for three years.

KEN ENLOE

Ken Enloe is currently on the Board of Education and has served one term as treasurer.

According to the Jefferson City Board of Education page, Enloe is a Jefferson City alumni. Enloe has worked in the public sector for the State of Missouri, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 13 years.

Enloe says serving on the board has been a great experience.

"It's a job that is very rewarding in terms of being able to see the great things that are happening in all our schools," Enloe said. "There's still work to be done."

Some of the work includes addressing the issues of overcrowding at Jefferson City Schools.

"Obviously that's going to be a major part of the board's responsibility over the next three years," Enloe said. " We have the issues we know K-8, we've addressed the issues at the high school level and we're pleased about that...we still have things at the middle and elementary schools that we have to address."

Enloe says he's proud of the steps the board has taken this year during the pandemic.

"I just continue to be really proud of the fact that we've been able to be in seat all year unlike a lot of districts," Enloe said. "It's been a tough year and [our staff] has done a great job and so we want to continue to support them and make sure that they understand how much they're valued."

Enloe says if he gets reelected, he will be picking up right where he left off at a meeting for the current board tomorrow morning and then a Board of Education meeting on Monday.

LINDSEY ROWDEN

Lindsey Rowden is currently on the Board of Education and has served one term.

According to the Jefferson City Board of Education page, Rowden graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1998. She has also spent 20 years working in the telecommunications industry.

Rowden said she currently has three children in the district at the elementary, middle school, and high school level. Rowden said she felt this was a good time to be involved while her kids were in school and the "changes are affecting my own kids."

Rowden says a big topic for the Jefferson City Board of Education is overcrowding.

"Overcrowding has been a problem, we were able to add an additional high school so that has alleviated a big burden on Jefferson City High School," Rowden said. "We now need to focus on our elementary and middle schools, particularly in that fifth and eighth grade age group."

Rowden says she believes the middle school age is where the school district needs to most immediate help.

"There's definitely some really good options," Rowden said. "But we need to definitely make those things happen sooner than later so we can start helping our kids."

If re-elected, Rowden says a main focus of hers is on the school facilitates.

"Obviously facilities are a big issue...so kind of accommodating our facilities or making adjustments for our growing community, " Rowden said.

IAN SHADRICK

Ian Shadrick is seeking one of two spots available on the Jefferson City Board of Education this election.

According to Dr. Ian Shadrick's website, he has over 16 years experience in education, disability and rehabilitation services, counseling, administration, and public health. His priorities include access to a high quality education for all students, data based decision making, open and transparent communication, and supporting Jefferson City faculty and staff.

Shadrick said he wants to bring a different perspective to the Jefferson City Board of Education.

"Not only as an educator but as a father of two boys," Shadrick said."I have a background in special education so I have a significant interest in the services the district provides."

In terms of overcrowding in Jefferson City Schools, Shadrick said he says he knows of "several potential options on the board right now."

"Realistically, I think it's important for the board to be able to look at all of the options and understand that if they are going to bring a bond issue to the voters in the next two years, they have a pretty good handle on why that is," Shadrick said. "As opposed that would allow for not raising the bond."

Shadrick said anyone who's looking for a change in the district should vote for him.

"[If] you feel like maybe there are different things that could be done," Shadrick said. "I'm probably your person to help get that done."

Polls are open to voters in Jefferson City until 7 p.m. tonight.