Columbia school board members to be inaugurated Monday.

Columbia Board of Education Welcomes New Members

On Monday, April 10, the Columbia Board of Education held a reorganization meeting where 3 new board members were sworn in by Columbia Public Schools superintendent, Brian Yearwood.

The new board members are April Ferrao, Paul Harper and John Lyman. They are filling the seats of current board president, David Seamon, Vice President Chris Horn and member Helen Wade.

When asked about his appointment, Paul Harper expressed his excitement to be on the board, stating, “I started out as a teacher, 20 years as an attorney, and being on the school board is almost like coming home for me because I started out in education. My goal is to stay on the school board for the next several cycles if possible.”

New Leadership Positions to be Elected

During the reorganization meeting, members will also elect a new president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. These leadership positions play an important role in guiding the direction of the Columbia Board of Education and its policies.

Compensation Update on the Agenda

Following the reorganization meeting, the regular session will begin, where board members will discuss a compensation update for teachers and administration within the school district. This was a major platform that Paul Harper ran on during his campaign for the board.

The compensation update will include financial projections for increased salaries and benefits for teachers and administration in the school district. This is an important issue and has the potential to impact the well-being of educators and their ability to provide quality education to students.

Conclusion

The Columbia Board of Education’s reorganization meeting brought in new members and new leadership opportunities. The pursuit to improve compensation and working conditions for teachers and administration is an important aspect of the board’s agenda moving forward. As the board moves into this new chapter, we remain hopeful for a prosperous future for our community and its students.