McGruder joins Stull on Neelyville R-IV school board

Neelyville R-IV School District incumbent Jack Stull and newcomer Jill McGruder will serve the next three years on the school board.

Stull

Stull received the top vote tally to keep his seat. His numbers in Butler County were 225 and 1 in Ripley County. McGruder beat out incumbent Donna Akers for the second seat. McGruder received 191 votes in Butler County. Akers had 133 votes cast for her in Butler County and 1 in Ripley County. Akers had served three terms on the board.

Stull, who was still working in his shop when called with the election results, will begin his third term on the board.

McGruder

“I appreciate everybody who worked for me and everyone who voted I appreciate them,” Stull said. “I have worked hard and will continue to work for the Neelyville School District.”

Stull believes the district needs more vocational technical classes for students.

“There are a lot of kids who are not going to go to college and I think we need more options as far as mechanics, welding and carpentry,” he said. “I think we need to see if we can possibly bring that back.”

Currently, students travel to Doniphan for vo-tech classes.

Stull added, there is a demand in those fields and everyone is looking for people to work with the shortage of vocational workers.

Stull also wants programs for students who are not interested in playing sports.

“We don’t have a band,” he said.

“Neelyille has a good school district,” Stull said, adding, the teachers and the administers are good, “but there is always room for improvement.”

McGruder, who is a first-time candidate said, “I am pretty excited.”

While her working hard paid off, McGruder said, “the hard work is just beginning. I am excited to help our school.”

She wants to take a look at the student handbook and find any issues that need to be worked on. With school staring in August this will be a hard task to complete, she added.

“I am excite to work with the rest of the school board,” said McGruder. “The members work well together.”