Matchell appointed to vacant position

Connie Matchell
Connie Matchell

Connie Matchell was appointed school board member for Zone 2 during Thursday's school board meeting.

The position was left open when board secretary Chuck Hyde announced his resignation in a letter presented at the June 5 special meeting. School officials gave qualified candidates in Zone 2 until noon on July 13 to turn in a resume and cover letter expressing their interest in the position.

Board members chose Matchell from a field of seven possible candidates, including Tyler Dees, Bradley Edwards, Kristin Hargett, Cammi Hevener, Mindy Hunt and Dr. Richard McCarver. She will serve for the next three months until the school board election on Sept. 19.

Superintendent Ken Ramey said he was pleased to see so many excellent, high quality candidates interested in serving on the school board. He encouraged all of them to file for office for the upcoming election so that the position could be filled by the democratic process.

According to Arkansas School Board Association regulations, the school board had 30 days to appoint a new member or the task would have been turned over to the county quorum court. Matchell and the other candidates have until July 11 to file for the September election.

Matchell, who holds a doctorate in education, said she volunteered for the position because she is looking to serve and make a difference. Matchell is currently the head of the Department of Teacher Education and the director of the Graduate Teacher Education Program at John Brown University, according to the university website, www.jbu.edu/faculty. Before taking that position in 2015, she worked in education for 31 years, and spent 29 years in the Siloam Springs School District.

During her career in Siloam Springs Schools, she served as a high school teacher, middle school principal and district curriculum director, according to her profile on the JBU website. She also served as the first director of the professional development school, formed in partnership between JBU and the school district in 1993.

In other business, school board members voted to appoint board officers for the remainder of the term. Roger Holroyd was appointed board secretary, Audra Farrell was appointed legislative liaison, Brent Butler will continue to serve as vice president and Brian Lamb will continue to serve as president.

General News on 06/18/2017