PRAIRIE GROVE -- Prairie Grove School Board President Eric Walker tendered his resignation last week, effective Nov. 11, and the board voted to appoint Mark Beaver to fill the vacancy on the panel.
Walker has served on the School Board for 11 years and last week said he decided to step down because he is reprioritizing some things in his life.
He bought his father's business, Walker Masonry & Sons, and owns Willow Springs Cattle Co., and said both businesses are taking up more time than expected. He said he's also realizing time with his children is going by fast and he wants to have more time to spend with family.
He and his wife have a son who is a junior at Prairie Grove High School, a daughter in 10th grade and a seventh-grade daughter.
"It's time to focus on my kids," Walker said.
Looking back, Walker said he is proud to say that he has served on Prairie Grove School Board. Walker was board president when the district hired Allen Williams as superintendent and that was a good decision, Walker said.
"Dr. Williams is an extremely good superintendent who is leading us with consistency," Walker said.
Other recent accomplishments, Walker said, include purchasing 61 acres across from the high school on Bush Street.
"That recent purchase of land is for the future," Walker said. "Life is about our future and that's our kids."
Serving on the board is about giving back to the community, Walker said.
"I'm very proud of the school district in Prairie Grove. We have a great set of administrators, even better teachers and even better people in the community. I was very proud to serve this community."
He considers Prairie Grove one of the best school districts in the state and described Prairie Grove as the "gem" of Northwest Arkansas.
Williams said Walker has been an excellent board member, showing good leadership and expressing his thoughts on issues in a manner that benefited the community.
Walker had already announced he did not plan to run for re-election. His current term would have ended September 2017.
Williams said Beaver's name came to the forefront as a possible replacement because he ran for Prairie Grove School Board in September 2015. Beaver, 47, electrical director for Kimbel Mechanical Systems of Springdale, ran for Position 5 and was defeated by another newcomer, Casie Ruland.
"He showed an interest in being on the board and he is active in the community and has been in Prairie Grove a long time," Williams said.
Beaver is a graduate of Prairie Grove High School and has 24 years of experience in the electrical field and nine years experience as a business owner.
Last week, Beaver said he is interested in serving on the School Board because he wants to serve the community.
"I grew up in Prairie Grove and I like to serve the community when I can," Beaver said. "I have a lot of loyalty to Prairie Grove and if there's a need, I'd like to be able to fill it."
Beaver's oldest daughter graduated from Prairie Grove High School and his youngest is a senior this year.
Beaver and board member Jerry Coyle, along with a third person, are partners in a local company, Cove Creek Development. The firm currently is involved in constructing a senior citizen development on Mock Street in Prairie Grove.
After accepting his resignation Oct. 17, the Board voted to name William Dick as board president to replace Walker and Shawn Shrum was voted in as vice president. Bart Orr will continue as board secretary.
In other action, the School Board voted to renew its three-year financial advisory agreement with First Security Beardsley Public Finance.
General News on 10/26/2016