UA Student Recruiter Runs For School Board

Hargis
Hargis

Matt Hargis, 39, has worked in higher education for 15 years and said he believes this experience would bring a unique perspective to the Prairie Grove School Board.

Hargis has lived in Prairie Grove for about 13 years and is one of three candidates running for Position 3, a five-year term. This is his first time to run for a public office. Incumbent Jerry Coyle is not running for re-election.

Hargis graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas, and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas.

He has worked for for the university for 15 years and is senior associate director of recruitment within the Office of Admissions.

He and his wife have three children who attend Prairie Grove schools.

In a candidate profile form, Hargis wrote that running for a school board position is something he has thought about for a long time.

He said he's enjoyed being involved in his kids' lives through sports and church and this would be another way to be involved in their education.

In addition, Hargis said he would bring his perspective from having worked in higher education for many years.

"Like anything else, I feel a good school board needs people with different backgrounds, education, work experience and opinions," Hargis said. "I come from a family of educators and understand how important education is to our society."

With three children in the district, Hargis said he is invested in the school district and what goes on in the schools.

"Having worked in higher education for the past 15 years, I see what having a quality high school education does for students looking to complete a college degree," Hargis wrote.

In addition, he said he believes he is honest, level headed and fair and those qualities would help him in serving as a board member.

If elected, Hargis said he does not have any specific goals in mind but simply, "I like the idea of giving back and being involved."

Prairie Grove's biggest strengths are the people of the district, the size of the district and its programming, Hargis said.

"From administrators to custodial workers, teachers and coaches, our staff seems to be genuine and sincere."

While Prairie Grove is growing, the district is still a small school in a small town where people care about one another, he added.

To him, it appears programming is constant throughout all schools and something offered for families throughout the district.

If elected, he said he would be interested in improving teacher support, both inside and outside the classroom.

"I feel our district is better than most, but supporting our educators should always be at the top of the list," Hargis said. "The same can be said for college admission rates. Having a college degree can open so many doors, therefore our state, our county and our school need to do a better job of sending and preparing students for college and/or life after high school."

Along with his college position, Hargis serves on the Prairie Grove Peewee Athletic Committee, coaches kids' sports teams and has been a Sunday School teacher at his church.

Community on 05/08/2019