Basye gets fourth in Columbia Board of Education race; does not get a seat on board

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former state representative gets fourth in the Columbia Board of Education race, just one place shy of winning a seat on the board.

"If I had not of got in, the other candidates would not be talking about the stuff that I was pushing. Accountability, transparency, discipline problems in CPS and academic achievement is absolutely abysmal," Basye said.

Basye is also a regular at BOE meetings. The former state representative was interviewed on ABC 17 News on the day of a school shooting in Nashville. He said teachers and volunteers should be armed.

Basye also expressed concern about discipline in the classroom.

"Discipline in the classroom is lacking," Basye said. "And also, that's the No. 1 problem they can complain about is a lack of discipline in the schools."

Basye said he believes he could add a new perspective to the school board that is "lacking."

Basye sued CPS and the Board of Education in the winter to ensure his name got on the ballot. A judge ruled in favor of Basye on Jan. 30, saying the district broke the law by not allowing Basye to file. CPS claimed he missed the deadline to make an appointment to file while schools were closed for winter break.

John Potter, who was at the same watch party as Basye, has a long history of vocal opposition to Columbia Public Schools' mask policies during the pandemic. He frequents Columbia BOE meetings where he shares his views during public comment.

Potter, the parent of three CPS students, said in an interview on ABC 17 News that he wants to raise attendance by, "reinsuring the community that just because your kid has a sniffle, they might still be able to go to school."

Potter also wants to address behavioral issues. He said he doesn't believe kids are being held accountable for their actions in the classroom.