COLUMBIA — Philip G. Peters Jr., an MU School of Law professor, announced Friday that he will run for a seat on the Columbia Board of Education in 2010.
Three school board positions are available in the upcoming election.
Peters, 59, has been involved in several Columbia education programs, including First Chance for Children, a program to prepare children for kindergarten; the Columbia School District's Early Education Task Force; and the Boone County Coordinating Board for Early Childhood Education.
In May, Peters was one of eight candidates for a school board seat vacated when Rosie Tippin resigned for health reasons. Board members voted to appoint James Whitt to the seat.
He is also a member of the steering committee for the district's five-year strategic plan.
“I think that public schools in the U.S. face an increasing challenge to remain competitive, and I would like to be part of helping the Columbia schools beat that competition,” Peters said.
Peters has two daughters who have received an education from the Columbia public schools. Mackenzie is currently a junior at Rock Bridge High School and Natalie is a graduate of the high school.
Peters was also appointed to the the Columbia Vision Commission in 2008.
Jan Mees, president of the school board, will run for a second term in the election and James Whitt, currently holding a one-year position, will soon be deciding if he wishes to run again.
People interested in running for a school board seat must apply in person at the district office, 1818 W. Worley St. The deadline to apply for candidacy is 5 p.m. on Jan. 19.