The Arkadelphia Public School District Board of Education appointed Blake Bell of Arkadelphia to fill the vacancy for Zone 5 at its November monthly meeting. The spot was made vacant with the resignation of Randy Turner from the board in October.
“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Bell to the APS team,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Donnie Whitten. “His knowledge of and support for our schools, programs and community will provide great insight as we continue to strive for excellence.”
Bell is a 1990 graduate of Arkadelphia High School and works as a financial advisor for Edward Jones Investments in Arkadelphia. Bell and his wife Meredith Echols Bell, also a 1990 AHS graduate, have two children in the school district: Jarrett, a ninth grader at Arkadelphia High School; and Allie, a sixth grader at Goza Middle School.
“I am truly honored to be chosen as Mr. Randy Turner’s successor on the Arkadelphia Public Schools Board of Education,” said Bell. “I look forward to working with the entire board, Dr. Whitten, and the entire APSD family. Arkadelphia and its schools have a special place in my heart and anything I can do to complement and/or improve that legacy is my privilege.”
Bell will begin service on the board immediately and will fill the term that runs through 2020.