Columbia school board candidates talk school choice, more during public forum

School board candidates Alvin Cobbins, Jeanne Snodgrass and John Potter on Wednesday geared up for their campaigns with the Mark Farnen Columbia Board of Realtors Candidate Forum.

Voters on April 2 will elect two of the candidates to three-year terms on the Columbia Board of Education.

James Gordon, who initially filed as a candidate, removed his name from consideration before ballots were finalized.

Being a voice to bridge gaps is a role Cobbins said he would fill.

"Together we can make a difference," Cobbins said.

Snodgrass, the incumbent, is director of Mizzou Hillel.

"I feel invested in our schools," Snodgrass said. "I feel invested in our community. I really believe in our public schools."

Student behavior and academic performance are Potter's key issues, he said.

"Bringing a diverse and inclusive voice to the board that hasn't been represented is what I want," Potter said.

Moderator David Lile later asked Potter what voice hasn't been heard.

"Conservative, Republican voices," Potter said. "The district has been dominated by one political ideology."

While describing himself as diverse and inclusive, he also during the forum condemned diversity, equity and inclusion in the schools as "devastating" to the district.

"I want to represent the community at large," said Cobbins, in response. "The worst thing that can happen is we get political in the process."

Lile asked the candidates about the children playing outside, who could be heard inside the building.

"They deserve to have a clean, safe place where they can live and learn and grow," Cobbins said. "We have to provide that for them."

"It's so great to hear them laughing," Snodgrass said. "I want to hear kids enjoying themselves all the time."

Potter said he thinks about his responsibility to uplift children.

They were asked about school choice, which involves funding private schools with public tax dollars, and charter schools, which are public, but without the oversight of an elected board.

Parents are free to choose whatever school they can afford to send their children to, Cobbins said.

There are ways to use public funding to support private schools, or in the case of charter schools, without oversight, Snodgrass said.

"I do not support taking money away from our public schools," Snodgrass said.

Private school vouchers and charter schools deserve consideration, Potter said.

"I think there's a need for those under certain circumstances," he said.

Another option is lottery schools, open to all students in a district, like Ridgeway Elementary School, where Potter said his children flourished.

"I think we should try lottery schools," he said. "My kids have done great."

Successful schools can share their strategies with other schools, Cobbins said.

Keeping experienced teachers in schools where there's the greatest need is important in improving student achievement, Snodgrass said.

Paying teachers what they deserve also is important, Cobbins said.

"Teachers need to be paid because of what they're doing," Cobbins said. "We can no longer fail our teachers. We need to pay them."

In a question about support for Superintendent Brian Yearwood, Potter praised him.

"I would continue to support Yearwood," Potter said. "I think he's really showing he's a great leader for our district."

The superintendent has the creative vision to take the district to a higher level, Cobbins said.

Asking critical questions while supporting plans is important, Snodgrass said.

In his closing statement, Potter added a district cell phone policy to his other goals of student behavior and academic performance.

"I just want to be that person to bridge the gap," Cobbins repeated. "Together we can make a difference."

"I want to see our public schools succeed," said Snodgrass. "I want to be part of the work that is happening, that is ongoing."

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on X at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia school board candidates talk school choice, diversity views