Two Candidates Run For Position 5 School Board Seat

Two newcomers to public office are vying for Position 5 on Prairie Grove School Board. Board member Beth Everett did not file to run for re-election to the five-year position.

The election is Tuesday, Sept. 15, with early voting Sept. 8-14.

Casie L. Ruland and Mark Beaver both have children who attend Prairie Grove High School.

Ruland, 41, is a banker who has worked in the banking, finance and accounting industry since 1993. She and her husband, Ray Ruland, have been married 22 years. Their daughter is a 10th-grader at the high school.

A graduate of Prairie Grove High School, Beaver, 46, is electrical director for Kimbel Mechanical Systems of Springdale and has 23 years of experience in the electrical field and eight years experience as a business owner. He attended Northwest Technical Institute electrical school for four years. Beaver and his wife have two children. Their oldest graduated from Prairie Grove High School and their youngest is a junior this year.

Ruland lives and works in Prairie Grove and is interested in serving on the School Board because she has a daughter in the district. She is running for office "to have an opportunity to help be a voice and make decisions that will have a positive impact on the entire district," Ruland stated.

She believes her banking and finance experience will be an asset as a board member, noting she is well organized and strives to have a high attention to detail.

If elected, Ruland said her goals would be "to maintain the standard of excellence from those who have served before me on the board and continue the work and progress for the school district, administration, staff, students and community."

Beaver also is interested in serving because his daughters have attended Prairie Grove schools.

"Having grown up in the City of Prairie Grove, graduated from Prairie Grove High School and assisted two girls in school, I feel a close connection to the community and school," Beaver said. "I feel that through my faith in God and common sense, I can make responsible decisions for the students, school and community."

If elected, Beaver said he would like to focus on facility upgrades and greater student opportunities.

"A strong school system leads to a strong community," he stated.

Both candidates are involved in volunteer work.

Beaver's volunteer work includes mission work on two children's homes in the country of Guatemala.

Ruland's volunteer and community service includes delivering Meals on Wheels in Prairie Grove for five years, helping with the United Way Day of Caring, Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity projects. She also has participated on mission trips both locally and out of state to help build and repair homes and shelters.

Ruland is a member of Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the praise team at Prairie Grove Christian Church.