Christine King (Missouri)
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Christine King was a member of the Columbia Public Schools school board, At-large in Missouri. King assumed office in 2009.
King ran for re-election to the Columbia Public Schools school board, At-large in Missouri. King won in the general election on April 7, 2015.
Biography
Christine King is a resident of Columbia, Mo. King earned her bachelor's degree in business and finance from the University of Ohio at Miami in 1988. She spent 20 years employed as a claims team manager with State Farm Insurance until she retired in 2009.[1]
Elections
2015
- See also: Columbia Public Schools elections (2015)
The election in Columbia featured two of the seven seats on the board up for general election on April 7, 2015. Incumbents Christine King and Darin Preis ran for re-election against challenger Derek Wade for the two at-large seats. King and Preis defeated Wade to win re-election.
Results
| Columbia Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 3-year term, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Christine King Incumbent |
42.4% | 8,593 | |
| Nonpartisan | Darin Preis Incumbent |
38% | 7,707 | |
| Nonpartisan | Derek Wade | 19.5% | 3,958 | |
| Total Votes | 20,258 | |||
| Source: Boone County Clerk, "Summary Report," April 16, 2015 | ||||
Funding
King reported no contributions or expenditures to the Missouri Ethics Commission as of February 24, 2015.[2]
Endorsements
King did not receive any official endorsements during the election.
2012
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Christine King Incumbent |
42.4% | 9,041 | |
| Nonpartisan | Paul Cushing |
21.1% | 4,513 | |
| Nonpartisan | Melvin G. Blase | 18.4% | 3,933 | |
| Nonpartisan | Rex Cone | 18.1% | 3,856 | |
| Total Votes | 21,343 | |||
| Source: Show Me Boone, "Summary Report," April 3, 2012 | ||||
Campaign themes
2015
King stated the following during a candidate screening conducted by the Columbia Missouri National Education Association PAC:
| “ | Please tell us about yourself and why you decided to run for a school board position.
I was initially involved with PTSA and Columbia Montessori and their education issues. Then became interested in Columbia Public School’s school board. I ran and was elected in 2009. I find my current position gratifying and rewarding. I ran in 2012 which had a bond and tax levy issue which brought community input. As president, I find myself in a unique role of listening to all board members. Whenever I make a comment, it is perceived as a comment from the Board. Sometimes, I feel I have to refrain from making a comment if the question is something the Board has not discussed. I have learned so much from my time on the board. For example, when my son was like 3 or so, he would go outside and experience nature and ask so many questions. The reality that not all students have had these kinds of experiences in preschool and come to school without the preparation that preschool can provide was a little surprising. Everyone in Columbia kind of lives in their own neighborhoods and doesn’t really understand some of the challenges that face our fragile families. I’m running again this round, but I don’t see myself as being on the board for the next 20 years. How do you see yourself as an advocate for teachers? How is the board a communicator to the public of teachers’ issues? For example, with Amendment 3 board members were advocates for teachers. Some members are stronger than others. I would like to see some current members go visit with legislators regarding funding. This is an area the board could work harder on. This board has done a good job communicating with the community about bond issues, tax levies and boundaries. The next World Café, October 21, 2015, is a tentative date for community input for a 2016 levy/bond. The board is trying to be more proactive. We don’t wait to staff areas but do so as we become aware. We did advance hiring at Battle i.e. principals and assistant principals first so they could begin meeting and developing a school community even before the school opened. Teachers are experiencing an increase in students with mental health issues. What are your thoughts on this issue? I am aware of student stories. Our Missouri community has easy to access community services which brings more to our schools. I value Dr. Stiepleman’s vision for CPS especially emphasis on fragile families. There is concern that kindergarten is not currently being seen as early education with a priority of socialization and developmentally appropriate lessons. How do teachers advocate for this when there is an emphasis on academics? I do take input of concerns and though I don’t want to micro manage I will pass them on to administrators in the district. It is also important for teachers to take concerns to building principals. We know in our district that some students arrive for kindergarten with birth to five issues for example with a need to explore and be social. The socialization part of kindergarten is a key component. How would you see teachers communicating with you? I feel the board understands student needs and I feel Columbia Public Schools makes a difference in student lives. I do appreciate teacher input. I do see personal growth in myself following running in 2009 as I have become aware of the poverty of some CPS students. I am proud the board has taken this to the community especially community leaders. I am also aware of the importance of preschool education. Another World Café has been suggested for community and staff input. We do have teacher concerns increasing salary and restoring frozen steps. The board will have conversations when the bargaining team presents their concerns about salaries and budgets. This is very difficult because so much depends on what happens with state money---it status quo or increased? Our budget is very difficult to predict as it depends on a state budget which is much less than CPS desires to educate students. I would like the state to be realistic i.e. their predictions of amount of free and reduced lunch per district doesn’t match our actual numbers. I appreciate last year when the bargaining team surveyed teachers regarding restoring frozen steps and communicated that with us. It is frustrating when money available is less than what teachers’ desire. Everyone has to make choices when it comes to living within their means. For example, when I decided to leave my job at State Farm, we had to cut corners and tighten our belts to live on one salary. No matter what the profession, there are people who are very frugal with their money and those that struggle to live on their budget.[3] |
” |
| —Columbia Missouri National Education Association PAC candidate screening (2015)[4] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Columbia Daily Tribune, "Candidate Profile: Christine King," January 23, 2013
- ↑ Missouri Ethics Commission, "Candidates By Election Search," accessed February 24, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ CMNEA Political Action, "Columbia Public School Candidate Screening notes," February 2, 2015
| 2015 Columbia Public Schools Elections | |
| Boone County, Missouri | |
| Election date: | April 7, 2015 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Incumbent, Christine King • Incumbent, Darin Preis • Derek Wade |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
