Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Derek Wade
Derek Wade was a candidate for an at-large seat on the Columbia Board of Education in Missouri. Wade lost the general election on April 7, 2015.
Biography
Derek Wade is a resident of Columbia, Mo. Wade earned his master's degree in creative writing from Pacific University. He spent a semester in 2012 as a professor of English composition and literature at State Fair Community College.[1] He operates a small business that sells food to restaurants and retailers.[2]
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
Wade reported no contributions or expenditures to the Missouri Ethics Commission as of February 24, 2015.[3]
Endorsements
Wade did not receive any official endorsements during the election.
Campaign themes
2015
Wade stated the following during a candidate screening conducted by the Columbia Missouri National Education Association PAC:
| “ | Please tell us about yourself.
I’m not a Missouri native as I moved here from California 8 or 9 years ago. I have been a teacher. I taught English at a community college in Boonville, MO which was interesting and exciting. I am not teaching now but would like to return to it someday. My background work experience is in the entertainment industry and cattle business. I have traveled the world as a yacht captain visiting over thirty five countries. My desire for running is to serve Columbia Public School students. But I was unaware that running is also so political. What would you see as tools to bring about achievement for our students? Money when used wisely. Especially when it doesn't come with state and federal conditions that weigh it down. You hear that it is all about state and federal budgets, but they have continued to fall short. What other income sources are available? What things can be removed from the current budget to free up funds for educating children? What in classrooms is getting in the way of teaching? I hear from community patrons that they feel their school is best. That is great for Columbia. I do have concerns that large schools are overcrowded and by being big inhibits a feeling of family. I have a concern that a new middle school is needed yet bonds and taxes are not there to provide for it. We need foresight to plan for big numbers and possibly ask the state for money. What are we learning from current boundary changes that we will use with middle school growth? Why are we not currently planning for that middle school bubble that is on the horizon? These things take time and it seems we are always behind the need. As a future school board member, how do you see yourself communicating with those in Jefferson City? I would talk to our legislators though I realize state money is not enough. The priorities need to shift at the state level. We may need to audit the mandates that come with federal money and see if it is worth it. It is important to have ways to get revenue into the state. Also, there may be ways to take advantage of the University of Missouri resources. I’d like to look at the money you get from the university to train their students. You should receive a significant stipend for hosting a student teacher. 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? They'd need to quantify everything kids do in class. I’d look at the board regarding curriculum and see their direction. We do want to respect children as learners. I’d hope it is kept fun and interesting and age appropriate. What is the school board’s role in choosing curriculum? To ask what is in place and how it is affecting students. I’m not in the classroom so it is a conversation with teachers. It is a collaborative issue. I’d ask is it developing students for college? Teachers are experiencing an increase in students with mental health issues. What are your thoughts on this issue? I don't think teachers are equipped with training or resources in this area. I’m aware that even our youngest students deal with this. A tricky area is the challenge of mainstreaming to benefit that child. We have to respect the parent’s rights and the child’s. What facilities do we have for them? We have federal mandates to provide, but not the money. We can't just put them in the classroom and ask how come they are not achieving? This is a shared responsibility between the state and federal government. How would you see teachers communicating with you? I feel I should listen to teachers because you are the first responders. You work with children so we need to listen to you. We have to respect everybody.[4] |
” |
| —Columbia Missouri National Education Association PAC candidate screening (2015)[5] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Derek Wade Columbia Public Schools. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Derek Wade," accessed February 25, 2015
- ↑ Missourian, "One non-incumbent on April ballot for Columbia School Board seat," January 27, 2015
- ↑ 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 |
