All 3 incumbents retain seats on Columbia Board of Education

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The three incumbents in the Columbia Board of Education race retained their seats on Tuesday.

April Ferrao (6,537 votes), John Lyman (6,218) and Paul Harper (6,183) kept their seats against challenger Dr. Keary Husain (2,759).

"Paul, April and I have talked every single day, I think, for the last three plus years, so we've got a really good relationship," Lyman told ABC 17 News shortly after the results were finalized. "We still battle and bicker about things. You know, but it's it's been a fun ride with him the last three years and looking forward to the next three."

Columbia Public Schools faces ongoing conversations about school safety, student attendance, and potential funding challenges. All four candidates have pointed to improving how the district tracks and responds to bullying as a key issue, alongside broader efforts to maintain safe learning environments.

Incumbents have largely campaigned on continuing recent progress within the district, citing improvements in attendance and academic performance. 

"I think we just want to keep the momentum we've been going the last three years. You know, as you know, I've been working on policies, and I want to continue that policy work. I want to make sure that all of our policies are solid and I hope to finish that work in the next year," Harper said.

In 2023, turnout reached nearly 22%, with more than 26,000 votes cast in a seven-candidate race. That year, Ferrao led all candidates with 43% of the vote, while Lyman received 33%, the lowest among those elected.

"The one difference is I was still doing school board work, so I was putting in a lot of hours at the school board, so I wasn't able to campaign quite as much this time as last time," Harper said when asked if there was a difference in his approach to the campaign.

This year, Boone County projected turnout closer to 10%, similar to the 2021 election, when turnout was about 14% and winning candidates needed just over 24% of the vote.

Husain acknowledged the challenge of running against three incumbents.

“It's an uphill challenge. But I also have been on record saying I'm not running against anyone. I never have been running against anyone this whole time. I'm running for school board because I feel like I belong. And I'll say that regardless of the results tonight, I'm not going anywhere. I plan on remaining in community service, and if I don't get elected, I'll run again,” Husain told ABC 17 News.

Despite falling short, Hasin congratulated all three candidates in a concession letter, but added that he has April, 6, 2027 circled on his calendar, the date of the next municipal election.

"I learned so much during this campaign and met some incredible people along the way at the numerous forums and out in the community. At times it felt like drinking from a fire hose, but the knowledge and understanding I gained was invaluable," Hussain wrote. "I joked throughout the campaign that I felt like Aaron Burr…I just want to be in the room where it happens, and I look forward to the opportunity to be there in the future."

April Ferrao

First elected in 2023, Ferrao has emphasized policy development, school safety and community engagement during her time on the board. A former Hickman High School PTA president, she has long been involved in the district through her children, who attended Columbia Public Schools.

Her priorities include improving attendance following pandemic-related declines and continuing updates to the district’s bullying policy to strengthen reporting and support systems. Ferrao has also supported facility upgrades, including security improvements, and has emphasized the importance of community input through listening sessions and district planning efforts.

Paul Harper

Harper's campaign focused on continuing recent progress, including improvements in teacher pay, working conditions, and academic performance.

He has identified funding as a key issue, pointing to declining federal support and uncertainty in state revenue. Harper said the district is working through long-term planning to address infrastructure needs and potential budget shortfalls. His priorities also include improving attendance, strengthening school safety, and expanding data collection on bullying incidents.

John Lyman

Also elected in 2023, Lyman is a longtime Columbia resident and senior loan officer who has spent about two decades at Veterans United Home Loans. He is a graduate of Columbia Public Schools and the University of Missouri.

Lyman has campaigned on maintaining what he describes as positive momentum in the district, including gains in teacher pay and student performance. He has highlighted financial challenges, particularly deferred maintenance costs, as a major issue. His priorities include responsible budgeting, improving attendance and continuing efforts to increase transparency and community engagement.

Keary Husain

Husain is the only non-incumbent in the race. A Columbia native and graduate of Columbia Public Schools, he is a trauma surgeon by training who spent about two decades working in St. Louis before returning to the area.

He has three children in the district and said his campaign is driven by a desire to give back to the community.

Husain has focused on investing in teachers, improving transparency and strengthening communication between the district and the public. He has also emphasized school safety, equity and the need for better data collection on issues such as bullying.