Pope County quorum court appoints Luke Duffield to Russellville School Board

The Pope County Quorum Court voted July 23, 2026 to appoint Luke Duffield to the Russellville School Board, adopting a resolution that filled the at-large seat vacated by Joe Sipkowski.

The special meeting followed the procedure required by Act 726 of the 95th General Assembly: three candidates were selected by random draw, each given five minutes to speak, followed by questions from justices and roll-call votes in presentation order. After two unsuccessful roll-call votes on the first two candidates, the clerk called the roll for Luke Duffield and recorded a majority of affirmative votes. The court then moved and seconded a resolution "appointing Luke Duffield to the Russellville School Board of Directors at large position vacated by Joe Sipkowski," which the court adopted on a roll-call vote.

Duffield, a lifelong Russellville resident and local business owner who described experience with bonding, insurance and large budgets, said he will provide board-level fiscal oversight while respecting the superintendent’s authority. "I think I'm at a point in my life now... that I'll be able to commit the time, to help provide that oversight from a board level," he said during his presentation.

Presiding justice congratulated Duffield after the vote and asked him to remain after the conclusion of the meeting to be sworn in at a subsequent meeting. The clerk recorded that there were no public comments on the appointment. The court adjourned at 6:06 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the clerk conducted roll-call votes for each candidate in presentation order; the resolution appointing Luke Duffield was adopted following the roll call on his candidacy and the formal reading of the resolution.