The candidates for the Columbia school board have been finalized. The candidates who filed in December are Erica Dickson, Ken Rice, and incumbent Suzette Waters. Only two spots are available for the three candidates, meaning the process is quite competitive. 

Waters, the current board president, noted in a news release announcing her campaign that she has increased board transparency by ensuring work sessions and board committee meetings are both recorded and live-streamed. Also noted in the release is her vocal opposition to charter schools and support of traditional public schools and their necessary funding. 

“With stability and continuity on the board, we have an opportunity to provide even better oversight and support for the work being done by administration and staff,” she noted in the release.

Pickleman’s Gourmet COO and certified speaker and coach with Maxwell Leadership Ken Rice also aims for a seat on the board. He is also a US Army veteran who served as a Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Non-Commissioned Officer during the Gulf War in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Rice is active in his church and serves as the head of the finance committee and as a Deacon. Rice’s platform promotes transparency,  “Common Sense Governance,” and support for CPS teachers. 

Founder of Mid-Mo Black Doula and former Assistant Supervisor of Student Services with CPS, Dickson stands for three different beliefs in our school system: accountability, transparency, and innovation. She places a large emphasis on making a collaborative effort with the community in terms of handling school district funds, as stated on her campaign page. 

All Boone County voters can absentee vote at the Boone County Government Center

(801 E. Walnut St., Rm 236) between March 25 – April 7, 2025. Election day is April 8.