The Race Is On!

The filing deadline is not until August 6, but already the race has been joined for the Zone Four position on the Fayetteville School Board. Mary Lynn Mantooth of 6430 W. Wheeler Road and Becky Purcell of 2369 Yorkwood Drive have filed for the seat currently held by Christine Bell, who is not running for reelection. Both women have family connections to the University of Arkansas faculty, and both have been active as volunteers at the public schools attended by their children. Fayetteville is fortunate to have such dedicated and involved citizens seeking positions on the school board.

This is an important election, but voter turnout historically has been quite low for the September school elections. The evident concern about the location of the high school could increase interest and participation, and it is certainly an issue about which all candidates should be asked and required to take a firm position.