Columbia Board of Education candidate interview: Erica Dickson

COLUMBIA Mo, (KMIZ)

ABC 17 News is speaking with candidates for the April 8 election. Three people are running for a pair of seats on the Columbia Board of Education: Board President Suzette Waters, Erica Dickson and Ken Rice.

Reporter Mitchell Kaminski spoke with each candidate about a number of topics. View the interview with Dickson below.

Mitchell Kaminski: Erica Dickson, thank you so much for joining us. Why is this a position that you wanted to run for, or something that you feel passionate about?

Erica Dickson: I started working in the district in 2016 as an attendance secretary. I've served as an instructional aide, a homeschool communicator and most recently as the assistant director of student services, which is an administrative position. In that role, I analyzed our data and noticed certain populations of students were not seeing success. I felt like not enough was being done about it. I transitioned out in August to establish an educational dula pilot to help families navigate the system and make a greater impact from a community standpoint.

While doing that, I saw celebrations of increased scores, which is great, but when the data was broken down, some students were still struggling. With our recent transition in leadership, I felt it was a good time to step in, stand in the gap for those students, and join the team of other board members to push those students forward.

Mitchell Kaminski: Can you expand on what you saw and why it's concerning for you?

Erica Dickson: Students receiving special services, students on free and reduced lunch, and personally, for me as a mother, our Black students were among those not seeing success. Regardless of socioeconomic status or other contributing factors, these students continued to struggle. It became personal for me because I was going home every day to what I considered failures within our system. That’s why I’m so motivated to address these issues.

Mitchell Kaminski: How do you feel your experience, including roles within the district and beyond, has prepared you for this position?

Erica Dickson: One advantage I bring is having worked in multiple capacities within the district —attendance secretary, instructional aide, home school communicator and an administrative role. I will be the only board member who has worked directly inside Columbia Public Schools. Another advantage is my deep involvement in community efforts, which allows me to use my social capital to engage more people in the system and take innovative approaches to education.

Mitchell Kaminski: Are there things the district is doing well that you would want to build on? And are there any immediate red flags you would address if elected?

Erica Dickson: I’m excited to welcome our new superintendent and support him in this role. Though I didn’t work with him long, I was impressed with what I saw. It’s important to celebrate increased scores and student success. That said, we still have students who need innovative approaches tailored to their unique needs. We must focus on ensuring all students see success, not just a select few.

Mitchell Kaminski: As you’ve been campaigning and attending forums, what concerns have you heard from the community? How would you address them?

Erica Dickson: AMI days, the transition in leadership and concerns about federal policies impacting our schools have been consistent topics. People want clarity on how these issues will shape our district’s future.

Mitchell Kaminski: Regarding AMI days, how do you feel they were handled, and what feedback have you received?

Erica Dickson: Feedback varies widely. Some parents and teachers appreciate the flexibility, while others feel students aren’t receiving the same quality of education. I don’t believe AMI days provide the same in-seat learning experience, but they can be useful when necessary. Other districts have been more transparent about structuring them, and I think we could improve our approach to better communicate expectations and requirements.

Mitchell Kaminski: School safety is a big topic. The district recently implemented metal detectors. Do you think that was a good investment? What else should be done regarding safety?

Erica Dickson: Yes, I believe it was a necessary investment. In my previous role, I was very aware of weapons being found on campus. Different perspectives exist, but ultimately, the safety of our students and staff must come first.

Mitchell Kaminski: The district has also moved toward banning phones in schools. What are your thoughts on that policy?

Erica Dickson: I don’t think phones should be used in the classroom. While the policy varies between middle and high schools, I’ve seen districts with complete bans. As a parent, I understand concerns about needing to reach children in emergencies, but I also see how phones contribute to distractions and issues like recording fights. There needs to be a balance, but I believe limiting their use in the classroom is beneficial.

Mitchell Kaminski: Looking at the APR scores from this past year, what stood out to you? What improvements would you like to see?

Erica Dickson: When broken down by schools, a clear pattern emerges — certain areas of our city score lower than others. This raises discussions about school choice and charter schools. As a parent, I would want my child to attend the highest-performing school in the district. However, logistically, that isn't possible for every student. We have an obligation to ensure all students have access to high-quality education and the resources needed for success.

Mitchell Kaminski: A major topic during the superintendent search was attracting and retaining quality teachers. What steps would you like to see taken?

Erica Dickson: We need to expand recruitment efforts to reach the teachers we want. Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, I had diverse teachers, principals and community leaders who looked like me, making it easier to see myself in those roles. Representation is crucial. Retention isn’t just a school district issue —it’s also a citywide effort. We need to make Columbia a welcoming place where educators want to stay.

Mitchell Kaminski: Do you think there is currently a lack of representation among the district’s staff? Would you like to see more diversity?

Erica Dixon: Yes, I believe representation is an issue, and it’s something we can improve.

Mitchell Kaminski: Finally, is there anything else you’d like people to know?

Erica Dickson: I want to be transparent about the challenges I see while also recognizing that I would be part of a team. We need to work together to move our community forward. My experience as a district employee and a parent allows me to understand the system from multiple perspectives. I’m looking forward to bringing that to the Board and helping all students succeed.

Mitchell Kaminski: Thank you so much for your time.

Erica Dixon: Thank you.