3 CPS Incumbents File To Keep Seats in April Election

Election 2017

Incumbents file for re-election to Columbia Board of Education

• By ROGER MCKINNEY 

Sessions

Cushing

Wade

Three incumbents on the Columbia Board of Education filed for re-election Tuesday to try and keep their seats come April.

Board members Paul Cushing, Helen Wade and Jonathan Sessions filed to be included on the April 4 ballot. The filing period for school board candidates opened Tuesday and ends Jan. 17.

Cushing, who was first elected in 2014, said he thinks serving a second term will allow him to be more effective.

“I do enjoy my time with the board and the work we’re doing,” Cushing said. “I want to serve my community. I think we’re making progress.”

Sessions, board vice president, was first elected in 2010 to fill the unexpired term of a board member who died while in office.

He is running for his third full term.

“I’m passionate about public education,” Sessions said. “I came onto the board at a time of change, and we created a very successful long-term plan to account for overcrowding and growth and eliminate trailers. We’re on a successful path, and I want to continue that work.”

Wade, who was first elected in 2011 and is seeking her third term, said she wants to participate in finding solutions to the district’s growth.

“I am proud of the track record of my last two terms and what we as a district have accomplished,” she said. “But our work isn’t finished, and I hope to continue to be a part of the bright future our district and community look forward to.”

Columbia school board candidates must file in person at the Columbia Public Schools administration building, 1818 W. Worley St., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Candidates cannot file during winter break, Dec. 23 through Jan. 2, or on Jan. 16, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.