Four candidates are contending this month for the open position in the Columbia Board of Education. The position was formerly occupied by Paul Cushing who resigned to take an out of state job.
The four applicants are freelance media producer Rex Cone, Tim Parshall, the assistant director of the Assessment Resource Center at MU, Bill Kinney, an ear, nose and throat physician, and Executive Director of Central Missouri Community Action, Darin Preis.
Current board members will select the replacement.
Board President Tom Rose said he wants to make sure the candidate has the right intentions.
“Somebody that sees that we need and try to do what is best for the district as a whole and for our students,” Rose said.
Board Vice President Christine King says she also favors a candidate who understands public school systems and who can learn about the Columbia Public School System quickly.
“What I’m looking for is someone who has some knowledge and experience and can kind of jump, can kind of get in and have a short learning curve,” King said.
Cone has run for the board before, and Preis has served on the board from 2005 to 2008.
The appointed person will serve in Cushing’s spot until the April 2013 election where the member will be eligible for reelection.
