Jake Hedges Seeks Lewis County C-1 School Board Seat, Citing Fresh Perspective and Focus on Students
The Information Below was submitted by Jake Hedges
Most of you know me but for those that don’t, I am Jake Hedges. I’m a 2001 graduate of Highland High School. My wife Erin and I have been married since 2005 and we have four children.
Our oldest is 18, also a Highland graduate, and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree. We also have a sophomore,an eighth grader and a fourth grader all enrolled in Lewis County C-1 school district.
I have been successfully self-employed since 2007, our family operates a small row crop and cattle production farm near LaGrange. I currently serve on the board of directors for LaGrange Road district. I was also involved with the Lewis County Youth Football league for many years as both a coach and a board member.
Here are just a few of the reasons I’m seeking election. First and foremost for the kids-my own included. To be a part of the decisions that impact their education and future. That means being involved in everything from curriculum, staffing, sports, and financial decisions.
School districts are facing a number of challenges, and I look forward to working cooperatively with our current board to face these challenges. There are some uncertain times ahead. Several bills moving through the Missouri House could impact tax policy, and those changes have the potential to affect not just our district but rural districts across the state.
There are also other education bills that range from, school choice, curriculum, district grading systems and various social issues. I’ve been actively communicating with our legislators to stay informed, so that if elected, I’m prepared and ready to respond to whatever changes may come.
I’m seeking election to be a new voice on the board, something that is needed. I offer a different perspective as I’m not currently on the board and have never served on it before. I’ve never worked for the district and I don’t have an immediate family member who does. While I respect and value the experience of long serving board members, I also feel that when given the opportunity we should welcome fresh perspectives that are in tune with the current challenges parents face.
For too long, many of our school board elections have gone uncontested, limiting choice and discouraging healthy discussion. That’s not how a strong democratic process should work, and it doesn’t best serve our students and community. This April, around 80 percent of elections in Lewis County are uncontested, meaning voters don’t have a say in those races. I believe our community deserves better. More voices,more engagement, and more accountability.
In my opening I spoke about my children, and that I have one who has completed their journey through our district and is now on a successful path to an undergraduate degree, along with having three others working their way through. I believe that highlights a viewpoint that I bring. I have seen firsthand what Lewis County C-1 does right, but I’m also living the challenges families are facing today. The academic, athletic and social expectations, I see them up close not from a distance, but as a parent going through them now.
I hoped this helped to briefly explain who I am and just a few of the reasons I’m seeking election.
Jakes CTA Questions & Anwers
- Our district’s greatest strength is our teachers. We are fortunate to have
many outstanding educators, several of whom are graduates of this very
district, giving them deep roots and a strong connection to our community
which encourages them to be passionate about their job.
In my opinion, our district’s greatest weakness is our geographic location
and how it impacts our sense of community. Unlike many districts, we
aren’t centered around a single hometown, we’re made up of several small
communities, and we haven’t always built strong, meaningful connections
across them. I also believe we have underestimated the value of genuine
community involvement. There is a strong connection between engaged,
involved communities and student success. - I have attended many board meetings throughout the years. I have
attended meetings to learn more about issues that concerned my children
and myself and I have also attended meetings just to learn and be
informed. - The steps I would advise concerned parents to take would be, first and
foremost remain calm in all conversations and to document everything,
which helps keep things based on facts and not emotions. Next would be
to follow the proper chain of command to see if that would resolve the
issue. Only after those steps should a parent bring the problem to the
school board. I don’t believe the school board should be involved in day to
day operations but more so policy and oversight. - I last visited our district Thursday of last week to attend the Civics Fair. I
was impressed by many of the students’ ability to articulate and problem
solve. I feel I’m at the schools very often with three kids currently
attending. - I don’t have specific programs or policies that I’m running to change.
I’m not coming in with a list of big sweeping changes or trying to shake
things up overnight.
There are policies that we have in place I would like to learn more about for
instance our cell phone policy,our dress code and our food debt collection.
All of which I feel need better enforcement or better alternatives.
There are programs that I would like to make sure we continue and expand
like our drama program.
I am obviously supportive of all our sports programs, I love the idea of more
options provided we have the space. I feel our male sports is something we
have been in the process of improving and would like to see those
improvements continue.
While not an actual policy, there are areas I feel our school board can
improve. One example is being more visible and involved in school events.
I’ve attended many extra curricular events and awards ceremonies like the
FFA banquet-where no board members were present. I believe those
moments matter, and showing up sends a strong message of support to
our students, staff and community.
I look forward to learning a lot very fast so that if changes to policy are
needed I would be able to make decisions that will ultimately benefit
education.
- My top priority if elected will be to fully educate myself more on our
policies, the role of the board, and our budget so that I can make informed,
responsible decisions. As someone who is not currently on the board and
does not have a spouse working in the district, I believe it’s especially
important for me to get up to speed quickly and thoroughly. - What’s the most important consideration when faced with a tough
decision: tax payers or kids? This is a tough question with an easy
answer.
The sole purpose of public schools is to educate and support students.
Every decision must be made with that in mind. Without that purpose
driving us everything is lost.
That being said, taxpayers still matter. We have to be good stewards of the
public’s funds.
We have to avoid waste, be transparent and have effective results (are we
being successful educating).
Students must be the primary focus while making decisions that also
respect the taxpayer.
- The qualities I would bring to the board would be the commitment I’m
willing to bring.
My ability to collaborate as a team and to listen while being a strong voice
in decision making.
Also someone who will be available and highly responsive. - My opinion on one-to-one technology for students is that I appreciate
that our students have access to the technology, and I see the value it
provides. I also believe that it is sometimes misused for students at a
younger age, so I’m not sure it’s necessary to have the one-to-one at the
elementary. I would however be in favor of more recess time both at the
elementary and even the high school. We are not building robots, we are
trying to build successful humans! - I believe our greatest opportunity over the next 3-5 years is improving
student achievement and better preparing our students for what comes
after graduation, with real life skills.
Smarter use of technology, not just pushing more tech. Focusing on skills,
not just devices.
This leads back to part of my first question answer as well with community
involvement. Because we are a small district we have the ability to be more
personal, more open, responsive and connected to our community than
larger districts. Community engagement I feel directly improves student
success.
- I would handle concerns brought to me first, by listening.
Secondly, make certain if there is an immediate answer I can give, it’s cut
and dry, if not, then explain that I don’t have an answer and that I will
consult with others on the board or administration to find one.
The most important thing to me is, to be sure I don’t leave them without
doing my part in trying to find a resolution to their concern and being
diligent in my responsiveness. - Teacher shortages and recruitment are a major concern where I feel
there is room for improvement.
A few ideas I have in mind are, improving the recruitment of our own
graduates that plan to teach in the future, and also how we can invest into
that future.
I would like to look at commitment agreements and scholarship
opportunities that reward graduates for coming back to our district to teach.
More dual credit opportunities and partnerships with local colleges to
strengthen our commitment to future teachers.
I’m also a proponent of the four day school week and would like to take a
serious look at it. I want to weigh the pros and cons, particularly as they
relate to small rural districts like ours. I also believe it could align well with
our current schedule of shortened days on Wednesdays.
In closing I would like to thank Tricia and the CTA for allowing us the
opportunity to come and speak tonight. I think this is something every
board member seeking election should be a part of.
Thank you also to the Lewis County Scoop for taking an interest in our
district and helping share this information so voters can stay informed.
I believe one of the most important things we can do as a district is
strengthen the connection between our schools and our communities.
When families,local organizations, and community members are engaged
and involved, our students benefit. It shows in their achievement, their pride
and their success.
At the same time, it’s important that we continue to bring new voices and
fresh perspectives that are in tune with the current challenges that parents
face to the board.
New ideas combined with a willingness to listen and
learn, help us keep moving forward and doing what’s best for our students.
I’m committed to being someone who listens, learns, and works to bring our
communities together in support of our schools.
I’d greatly appreciate your support. Thank You
To hear more from Hedges, watch the full Lewis County Scoop podcast interview before Election Day. Missouri’s 2026 General Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 7, 2026
