Jay Atkins

Jay uses a home-based style in trying to sway voters. From promoting himself in clean pictures with family, being the only candidate with children in Columbia Public Schools, and looking to secure the race with an appeal to traditions, relative to Della Streaty-Wilhoit that is. Note: Atkins did not show up to a press conference to spend time with his kids on a vacation, during spring break. Take away what you wish from that.

Atkins gave his stance on guns in schools recommending buildings have specially trained personnel for security purposes, according to 17 KMIZ news.

"If necessary you can't run can't hide, you need to be able to fight back," Atkins said. "Face the threat and neutralize that threat."

Jay hopes to win a majority of his votes, from his plan to break school to prison patterns, by increasing literacy rates in children at a young age. He hopes to get every third grade student on the same, 100% reading mark.

Like Jay or not, this is unreasonable. You will not be able to achieve this goal because of the achievement gap that lives and breathes in the classroom. Respectfully, there is no way to truly hold a teacher accountable on every student, being perfect.

Della Streaty-Wilhoit

Streaty-Wilhoit has a doctorate from MU and worked for the National Park Service's Midwest region as the director of scientific research. She says her aim as a board member would be to increase STEM program participation.

Della's approach to winning this election seems short and smart. She seemed to prefer to answer questions asked by the Columbia Missourian, in a blunt and non-controversial manner. This is easy to agree and understand, from an objective viewpoint, it is smart in the long-run, until potential voters get sick of the Bernie Sanders "college for free plan" minus the evidence.

Streaty-Wilhoit, 65, agreed and added the school district should be making every effort to inform students about climate change.

On teacher pay, the Columbia Missourian got this out of Streaty-Wilhoit, "Lower pay or inadequate pay for teachers is a statewide problem that requires strategic planning and budgeting. On this issue, we have a long way to go in finding a solution. As an educator, I believe we should pay teachers a higher salary; however, to do so, we must find a sustainable means to pay for higher salaries."

Blake Willoughby

"Blake Willoughby is the youngest candidate running for one of two open spots on the Columbia School Board. Saying his age is an advantage, Willoughby emphasizes inclusivity and acceptance of all students. The children's book he is holding, titled "Little Leaders, Bold Women in Black History," displays significant leaders in a picture-book style." states Columbia Missourian.

His passion for education closely parallels his passion for the arts, and his commitment to integrating arts into all education is fundamental. Rather than focusing on STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — Willoughby wants to see a larger shift toward STEAM, which includes arts. Art integration involves using arts to teach students about subjects that typically do not involve arts. Willoughby said he wants to create a student-led committee that would work directly under the board, creating an opportunity for students at the high school level to share their frustrations, thoughts on college readiness and their needs as students.

Willoughby said mental health in the schools is a prevalent concern despite the tools already in place. Students' mental health can impair their studies, and often, he said, these circumstances go unreported and unnoticed.

Willoughby, 24, said he considered minimizing carbon emissions an obligation, especially as a young person. He proposed a student-led committee for long-term planning, arguing that students need a voice in the district and that the proposed committee would allow that to happen.