In a special meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Education at the Camdenton R-III School District appointed Debbie Wright to serve a one-year term until the next election, filling the vacancy of former School Board Director Michael Gulledge.
At an earlier special board meeting on May 1, the BOE declared the vacancy due to the resignation of Gulledge, effective that day. He resigned for personal reasons and left on good terms, according to President Troy Risner.
Interested candidates were asked to submit applications by May 18. The seven applicants were Debbie Wright, John Seward, Brett Eidson, Kyle Kemp, Jeff Mellencamp, Jeff Kitchen, and Alison Martin. Each candidate introduced themselves, discussed their interest in the position, and shared their goals for the district.
Then on May 20, Vice President Callie Henze and Secretary Shelley Creed moved to appoint Debbie Wright to serve a one-year term as a BOE member. Risner and Jacob Neusche, Treasurer, moved to appoint Alison Martin to serve a one-year term as a BOE member. Risner called for a show-of-hand voting for each candidate: Henze, Creed, Neusche, Brian Butts, and Eric Walters voted to appoint Wright. Risner was the lone vote for Martin.
Secretary to the Board Linda Leu administered the oath of office to Wright, a retired teacher who taught for 32 years and has since worked as a collegiate clinical supervisor.
Wright told the board during the candidate interview process that she loves the district, would be proud to be a part of the board, and she understands the time commitment.
“I feel like we need one or two educators on the board,” Wright said, who ran and lost a bid for a seat on the school board two years ago. “This is something I feel strongly about. It has given me the opportunity to see a lot of things across the state and to see what works well, and what does not work well in other districts."
Wright is also a member of the statewide Missouri Teachers Association where she said she keeps informed of current education issues.
Board members expressed appreciation for all who applied, emphasizing that each would make an excellent board member. They encouraged them to run in the next board election in Spring 2027.
The next meeting of the Camdenton R-III District Board of Education is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, June 8, in the Administration Board Room.
