Conway, AR — The Conway School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Carl Barger to represent Zone 1, Position 4 on the Conway School Board until the 2025 May election. Mr. Barger brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education, having previously served on the Conway School Board from 2007 to 2017.
School Board President Andre Acklin shared his thoughts, saying, "When I came on the board in 2010, Mr. Barger took me under his wing and mentored me as a new school board member. Mr. Barger and I served 7 years before his departure from the board in 2017. He is a fine man and has a wealth of experience and knowledge as a former Superintendent and School Board member. The board is blessed to have him."
Dr. David Naylor Jr., School Board Vice President, expressed his enthusiasm, "I am very excited about the experience Mr. Barger will bring to the board over the next year. I expect him to be an excellent board member and believe he will support our teachers, staff, and administration as we move into next school year."
School Board member Mr. Bill Milburn stated, "I went into this process knowing that it is a short-term appointment and looked for a candidate who could come up to speed the quickest. Mr. Barger's previous 10 years of service on the Conway School Board and his superintendency at six school districts in Arkansas made him the logical choice for this position."
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Collum shared his enthusiasm, saying, "I am excited to welcome Mr. Carl Barger to the Conway School Board. I believe his experience as a superintendent and former board member will be extremely valuable. I look forward to working with him and believe he will integrate quickly into working with our current school board."
School Board Secretary Linda Hargis commented, "We recommended Carl Barger for the school board because of his extensive experience and qualifications. He has a significant amount of experience in educational administration, having served as a superintendent for 31 years. He possesses an understanding of the education system and the challenges schools face. His financial knowledge is very helpful for managing school budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and making informed financial decisions that benefit the school district. Mr. Barger has been actively involved in two millage campaigns, which will be advantageous to our district in helping to secure funding for the needs the district is facing. We are grateful to Mr. Barger for being willing to come in for the next 10 months and lend his knowledge and experience to this district."
Board Member Trip Leach added, "I had the pleasure of serving on the board with Carl for several years when I was first elected to the board in 2014. I have never met anyone who had one bad thing to say about Carl Barger. He is genuine, kind, and one of the most knowledgeable men I know when it comes to public schools. He has 31 years of experience as a superintendent, knows firsthand how to work on a school board, and is an avid supporter of the Conway School District. I am excited to work with him again, and the district will no doubt benefit from the wealth of experience he brings."
The Conway School Board also extends its heartfelt gratitude to the other candidates who interviewed for this position. Their interest in serving on the school board is a testament to their dedication to our students and community. The board appreciates their commitment and looks forward to their continued involvement and support.
Additionally, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to Mr. Jason Sandefer for his dedicated service on the board. His time, effort, and contributions have been invaluable, and we are grateful for his commitment to our school district.
Mr. Barger's extensive background in educational leadership, both as a board member and superintendent, positions him to effectively contribute to the continued success and progress of the Conway School District. His appointment is a testament to his dedication to the community and commitment to enhancing the educational experience for all students.
