Button fills School Board seat
Sandy Button was unanimously appointed to fill the vacant School Board seat at a special meeting Tuesday, April 24.
Two of the four persons applying actually endorsed her during their presentations. Applying for the seat were: Button, Ron Mullikin, Edwin Brewer and Shane Willis.
Beginning the special meeting, board member Jenny Wood made a motion to “accept the resignation with regrets” of board member Rick Webb. Webb submitted a hand-written resignation April 10, addressed to Rick Neal, stating: “To whom it may concern: I resign. R. Webb.”
Dr. Roland Smith, interim superintendent, said he had spoken with legal counsel and reminded each of the applicants about Arkansas law prohibiting nepotism — hiring immediate members of families except those employed by special provision.
“At my age and state of life, I can say about anything,” Smith smiled. “I’m very impressed. We have high quality people. We won’t make a bad decision.
“People are great. This is a wonderful place to be. You all deserve so much credit,” he said to both board members and applicants.
Board president Joshua Ramsey thanked each of the applicants for their willingness to serve then asked each to make a presentation as to why they should be selected.
“I have always been extremely interested in our community and the school,” Button said. “I’ve been here 40 years ... I think I’m a huge cheerleader for Pea Ridge. This school did an amazing job for my sons. I can’t talk more highly about the school because of what it did for my children.”
Button, who was appointed to the School Board in March 1994, was elected without opposition in 1995 and served until 2000. She was appointed by the governor to serve on the Pygmalion Commission on Non-traditional Education in 2008, and still serves on that commission.
She served on the Rogers City Council 2002 to 2004. She is chief court clerk for Pea Ridge, as well as recorder/treasurer and office manager for the City of Pea Ridge. She has two sons, both of whom graduated from Pea Ridge High School.
Mullikin served on the School Board 1998-2000, was chairman of the new high school committee.
Shane Willis moved to Pea Ridge about 12 years ago, said he runs a few companies and participates in a number of youth sports programs. He said he is currently in the process of trying to build an activity center for kids in Pea Ridge. He said his company is Vision Cabling Services. “I see a bright future for this community ... I hope to run in September.”
Edwin Brewer, pastor of Pea Ridge Assembly of God Church, said he has worked a lot with youth and children. Through a Wednesday-night program at his church, he said he ministers to anywhere from 60 to 100 children. “It has to be about the children and the faculty in this community,” he said.