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Conway School Board adopts July timeline to fill two vacancies, sets petition requirements
Summary
The Conway School District board voted to publish a 30-day public notice and hold special meetings in July to appoint replacements for two recent resignations, outlining petition, verification and presentation procedures required by cited statute 613611.
The Conway School District board adopted a staff-recommended timeline to fill two board vacancies created by recent resignations, directing staff to publish the required minimum 30-day public notice and schedule appointment meetings in early July.
Under the process explained by district staff, prospective appointees must file petitions signed by 20 qualified electors for the seat they seek (at-large candidates must be qualified electors in the district; zone candidates must reside in the zone). Petition signatures must be submitted at least 10 days before the appointment meeting so district staff can verify them with the county clerk and provide applicants an opportunity to cure any defects. Qualified candidates will receive five minutes to present at the appointment meeting; deliberations and interviews will take place in the open rather than in executive session, per the guidance presented to the board.
Why it matters: The board has 90 days to fill vacancies under the cited statute ("613611"). The timeline the board approved is intended to ensure compliance with state law while allowing staff time to verify petitions and to give voters an accessible opportunity to apply and present.
Details and next steps: Staff recommended splitting the two appointments across separate meetings to reduce administrative burden; the board adopted a date change to hold the first appointment meeting on July 6 (previously proposed July 7) with related petition deadlines published in the public notice. The board also asked that candidate materials include a resume and a short statement of reasons why the applicant seeks the seat. Once appointees take their oaths (at the county clerk's office), the board will reorganize at the next regular meeting.
Legal and procedural references: Staff cited the statute by number (613611) when outlining notice, petition and verification requirements; the district also referenced Act 902 of 2025 in its public-comment rules for patrons. The district said it will post the public notice on its homepage, in the local newspaper, to county officials and on district communications platforms.
What was not recorded: The transcript records a motion, second and adoption of the timeline, but the names of the motion's mover and seconder were not specified in the meeting record provided here. The vote was taken by voice and the motion carried.
The board's staff will publish the public notice and application instructions, which will include petition requirements, the deadline for submission and guidance on verifying residency (including a link to Arkansas Voter View). The board will consider appointments at the special meeting(s) in July and will complete formal reorganization at the subsequent regular meeting.
