Ferguson-Florissant Candidate Gets Stronger in Second Run

Running for the Board of Education was a learning experience for candidate Brian Scott Ebert.

 but has thrown himself into this year’s race.

“You figure, ‘I guess I’ll give it another try,’” he said. “After you do it one time, it’s kind of hard to just run one time. The first time is learning about the process.”

Ebert said that he learned a lot last year and doesn’t deny his ignorance to the election process.

“I was kind of unprepared. I didn’t realize the political element behind it,” he said. “As a nonpaid position, I see it as giving back.”

This year is a bit different, though.

Instead of facing eight other challengers for three seats, he’s facing two other challengers— and parent Barbara Morris—for two seats.

Despite being unprepared last year, he’s moved full steam ahead this year.

He’s used a number of signs that he recovered from last year as well as has actively worked to reach out to those he met last year and meet new people, too.

The issues that he focused on last year, including financial responsibility, maintaining accreditation and classroom sizes, remain top priorities to him and the district, but he’s developed another area since then.

“I hope to bring a sense of innocence (to the board),” he said. ”My only agenda is the kids.”

Besides getting more parents involved at all levels and keep things moving forward in the district, he hopes to send another message to parents and children in the district.

“I wish I would’ve gotten more involved with all kinds of things,” Ebert said. “I was on my couch saying, ‘Somebody ought to do something about that.’ I sat on the sidelines too long.”

While Ebert might have be a bit more well known than one of his candidates, he still remains questionable about the direction the election will go.

“You’re always second guessing when you’re running,” he said.