Two apply for open seat on school board

Two people submitted applications to fill a vacancy on the Columbia School Board on Wednesday.

Cande Iveson, owner of the advocacy group Policy Works, and Michael Tan, associate professor at William Woods University, are seeking to fill a partial term that ends April 2008.

Iveson, a graduate of Rock Bridge High School, said she has always thought of running for this position, but never had the time.

“The time is better for me now,” Iveson said. “I have deep roots in the community and am excited to explore this opportunity.”

Iveson said her experience in child advocacy, policy revision and data analysis would help her act as a pipeline between the community and the school board.

Tan’s background is in education, with an emphasis in education law. He said his career in education would give him a more informed perspective as a board member.

“We need to be critical thinkers about what’s going on,” Tan said.

Tan ran in the April 3 election and received 8,040 votes.

Applications for the open seat, created by Don Ludwig’s resignation earlier this month, are due to the school board by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

School board members will interview finalists and discuss applications in May. A replacement will be announced at the board’s regular meeting on June 11.