The three candidates for the Columbia Public School Board found consensus on contentious topics, including what they called the widening inequity in schools because of recent redistricting decisions and school safety.
All three candidates are seeking their first term, as current president Jan Mees and member James Whitt will not seek re-election when their terms expire in April. The candidates are vying for two seats on the board.
The three candidates are former assistant attorney general Jay Atkins, Della Streaty-Wilhoit and current MU doctoral student Blake Willoughby. More than 40 educators and residents sat in and participated in the forum.

Inequity and redistricting

Atkins summed up all three candidates’ viewpoints when addressing inequity.
“As a baseline, we have a problem,” he said.
Streaty-Wilhoit and Willoughby mentioned the achievement gap.
“The achievement gap is real between black and white,” Streaty-Wilhoit said. “I am a black female. There are many times people have to be educated about my race.”
While Streaty-Wilhoit said the lack of attendance of black students is a major component in the achievement gap, Atkins stressed the reading proficiency levels in schools needs to be raised in order to bridge the gap.
“I will fight tooth and nail,” he said.
The audience expressed concern about ways recent redistricting decisions may negatively effect the current inequity problems within the school district, such as free and reduced lunches.
She said all schools must be considered when it comes to allocating funds because Battle will not be the only school affected.
“Let’s just remember, all schools need resources,” she said.
Willoughby agreed.
“If they don’t get those resources, that means we’re not going to be able to meet our academic goals for them ... and what we want to see in them,” he said.

Safety concerns

The candidates discussed safety concerns from two angles:
  • A safe and welcoming environment for all students regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, mental health concerns or ability.
  • The physical well-being and safety of everyone in the building.
Willoughby said he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is young enough, at 24 years old, to relate to the issues that children are facing in schools today. He said that small changes, such as adding gender-neutral bathrooms and asking students for their preferred pronouns, can make a difference in whether or not a student feels welcome and appreciated by their school and teachers.
Atkins agreed.
“I think (Willoughby) hit the nail right on the head,” he said. “It’s not about grown-up, political differences; it’s about the kids.”
The only area of polite disagreement between the candidates was the issue of guns in schools.
Willoughby and Atkins said they would be interested in any legislation that would benefit the school district.
“I wouldn’t reject it out of hand,” Atkins said. “But I would want to know what we’re talking about.”
Atkins and Willoughby said the local school district should have the ultimate say in whether guns are allowed in schools.
Streaty-Wilhoit, on the other hand, said that she does not want guns in schools.

“I know how to use one; I’ve been trained to use guns in my field,” she said. “I do not believe they are needed in Columbia Public Schools.”
While both Atkins and Willoughby mentioned that the carrying of guns by police and school officers would be acceptable due to their specific and qualified training, Streaty-Wilhoit did not comment on this facet of guns in schools.
Willoughby, who closed the debate, summed up what all three candidates were hoping to achieve if they win a seat.
“No matter what your race, your job title, your gender, your socio-economic status, your sexuality, your age or your varying abilities,” he said, “(it is important) that you are heard because you are the school board, not just the seven of us.”