26-03-2025
4 seek Joplin School Board seats
Joplin voters on April 8 will elect two to the Joplin Board of Education.
There are four candidates in the race, including incumbent David Weaver and two who formerly served on the board. One of the two seats to be filled is that of the current board vice president, Donnie Greenlee, who is not seeking reelection.
In addition to Weaver, candidates for the three-year terms are two who previously served, Derek Gander and Lori Musser, and Thomas Ross.
David Weaver
Weaver is seeking a second term, having been elected in 2022.
He is an accounting and finance professor at Pittsburg State University.
He said he was influenced to seek an elective post in the Joplin School District because his family has a long history in public education. He said his mother was a teacher and his wife, daughter and sister are all involved in public education.
Weaver holds a bachelor's degree in education from Ozark Christian College, a bachelor's degree in business administration from Missouri Southern State University, an MBA in accounting from Missouri State University, and a master's degree in communication from PSU.
He currently serves in leadership positions for 10 area nonprofit organizations.
'I believe in public service and giving back to the community,' Weaver said. 'My son will graduate from Joplin High School in May. I believe my leadership skills, educational background and knowledge of finance and accounting make me uniquely qualified to be reelected to the Joplin Schools Board of Education.'
Derek Gander
Gander previously served two board terms. He was first elected in April 2017 and was returned to office in April 2020. He ran again last year.
He owns a home inspection business in Joplin andworked in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He has two children in the school district.
His said his experience in business and with the school district led him to run again.
'I served two terms with pride and integrity. I have Missouri-required board training along with being a parent of two students. Being a small business owner and being financially responsible for budgeting, paying local taxes and payroll allows me to understand the business side of the district. Having two students enrolled in the district along with being an active previous board member allows me to understand the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges in the classroom. I served previously during the time of COVID and played an instrumental role in helping in the design of our reentry plan. I see similar challenges now as we return to being financially responsible as we tighten our belts and focus on the mission, educating our students,' Gander said.
Lori Musser
A former teacher and school administrator, Musser also has previously served on the board.
She was first elected to the board in 2016 to complete the unexpired term of Lane Roberts. She then was reelected in April 2018 for a three-year term, which has given her five years of experience. that, along with her 38 years of working in education, led her to seek a school board position again.
'During my 26-year career in K-12, I have served as a parent educator, classroom teacher, reading specialist, school guidance counselor, and school principal. I then continued my education career for 12 more years in higher education as an adjunct professor, academic success coach, and coordinator of disability services. More importantly, I am a mother of two and a grandmother of four. These years as an educator provide me with the background knowledge and expertise that will serve me well if I am granted the opportunity to serve on the board once again,' Musser said.
Thomas Ross
Ross, is a business owner who previously worked for the city of Joplin for 10 years following the Joplin tornado.
He has not run before for the board but previously ran against Lane Roberts for the District 161 seat to represent Joplin in the Missouri House of Representatives.
He said he believes his qualifications to serve on the board come from his professional and personal experiences.
He worked for the city of Joplin in the engineering department overseeing some city projects. That experience, he said, gave him a foundation in problem-solving, budget oversight and advocacy. He also cited his involvement in the Joplin community, volunteering with Kiwanis, Vita Nova and various other nonprofits.
He said that his reasons for wanting to serve on the board are that 'I am committed to making a positive difference for the students and families in Joplin. I am passionate about improving our educational system and working collaboratively with fellow board members to help Joplin Schools provide children with the best education possible to prepare them for their future.
'As a father of two, with my eldest just two years away from entering the school system, I have a personal stake in the success of our schools. I am fully invested in the future of our children and the quality of education they receive, which sets me apart from others seeking the open board positions,' he said.
