Columbia Board of Education, city council, mayor candidates take part in forum
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Board of Education, mayoral and city council candidates are scheduled to participate in the Columbia Board of Realtors' election forum Thursday.
The Columbia Board of Realtors is hosting the forum at Diversified Management Co. for those running in the April 5 election.
Watch a replay of the Columbia Board of Education forum in the player below.
Four candidates are running for the two open seats on the Columbia Board of Education: Suzette Waters, Blake Willoughby, Andrea Lisenby and Adam Matthew Burks.
Waters attended Columbia Public Schools and has two children attending schools in the district. She is now a part-time dental hygenist who volunteers with her children's schools. Waters is running on a platform of increasing support for teachers, maximizing student potential and improving communication within the school district.
Willoughby is running for re-election. He currently sits on the school board and is a college instructor for those studying to be educators.
Lisenby is a mother of three with a background in science and leadership. Lisenby says "the first step is for board members to listen and learn." Lisenby has encouraged in-person learning at Columbia Public Schools.
Burks has experience in public safety with Midway USA and Boone County Fire Protection District. He has four kids that attend Columbia Public Schools. When he filed for election, Burks said he values open communication with the school board and parents.
Five candidates are running for mayor: Barbara Buffaloe, Tanya Heath, Randy Minchew, Maria Oropallo and David Seamon.
Watch a replay of the Columbia mayoral forum in the player below.
Roy Lovelady is challenging incumbent Karl Skala in the Third Ward city council race, while Nick Foster and Erin Pefferman are seeking the Ward 4 seat being vacated by Ian Thomas.
Watch a replay of the Columbia City Council Ward 3 & 4 candidates forum.
