On Thursday evening, the Columbia School Board voted unanimously to appoint Paul Wagner to fill the board’s current vacancy left by former board member Jeanne Snodgrass.
The meeting began with opening statements from both candidates, Wagner and Erica Perry, followed by a series of randomly selected questions. Each candidate was given 90 seconds each to answer.
After the candidates’ concluding statements, board members remarked that it would be a difficult vote.
“I think any one of you would be an excellent addition to our team, and I hope that no matter who we eventually choose, that you will both file to run in December and maybe both be on the board,” Board Member Suzette Waters said.
Wagner said he's grateful for the opportunity, but recognizes he has a lot to learn about how schools work day-to-day.
“It’s probably gonna be drinking from the proverbial fire hose. I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of information coming at me and a lot of things to get up to speed on," Wagner said.
Wagner previously served as the deputy commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
Board members expressed hope that both members would file to run for the board in the future, as both were qualified and would be a good fit for the team.
Wagner’s time on the board will last until the next municipal election in April when voters will choose a candidate to serve out the rest of the term.
