By Gretchen Garrity
I have written previously about the vacancy on the Ozark School Board HERE, and spoke with Brian Rohlman (see HERE) about the Board's current intention to appoint a member to the vacancy left by Guy Calloway.
Instead of appointing someone until the election in April, the Board is determined to appoint someone to fill the position until April 2026, when Calloway's position would have been up for election.
Citizens have investigated the circumstances surrounding the timing of Calloway's resignation. Calloway moved to Florida and established residency some time in 2024, certainly before his resignation in December. He did not attend the November meeting, nor the December meeting.
The Board, with counsel from their St. Louis attorney, Celynda Brasher, believes they are justified in appointing someone to fill the unexpired term left by Calloway. However, state statute tells another story. Ozark Board Member Christina Tonsing has just published her investigation of the law, as well as a letter she sent to the Board with her findings (see below). Read Tonsing's whole article HERE.
The Ozark Board is in a pickle at this point. It looks as if they have decided to thwart the voters and choose a individual of their choice to fill the unexpired term. Hopefully, the publication of new information about the situation will give them time to rethink their position, and allow citizens to elect a board member this April.
There is a meeting to appoint a replacement for Calloway on Monday, January 27 at 4pm in the OIC conference room. The meeting is open to the public.
