Filling Big Shoes: School Board Elections
May 18, 2023
Fair Grove School Board of Education members (from left to right). Daryle Orr, Cheryl Kepes, Jennifer Harp, Joy Reynaud, Kelly Sutherland, David Bruner, and Tanner Dowling). (photo provided by FGHS Newspaper)
After 12 long years of serving on the Fair Grove School Board, Daryle Orr and Joy Reynaud have decided to leave their positions and take on the next adventure.
Daryl Orr has been the School Board President for the past eight years and has served as a School Board member for 12 years. Joy Reynaud has been on the School Board for nine years total, serving as the Vice President the past two years.
Orr and Reynold weren’t just members of the school board, they made real differences. Chris Stallings, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, stated, “Daryle and Joy provided incredible leadership for our district. Their partnership with Mr. Bell has allowed us to make tremendous strides in terms of increasing teacher salaries, increasing our financial reserves, facility upgrades, staff additions, and adding a masters program for our teachers.”
He continued, “These items are just the tip of the iceberg of what was accomplished here during their years of service.”
Mike Bell, Fair Grove School District’s Superintendent, added to that, “Both Daryl Orr and Joy Reynaud served the Fair Grove school community well by always putting kids first when making educational decisions that impacted the district.”
He continued, “They were instrumental in increasing teacher salaries, approving facility upgrades and improvements, as well as assuring that our students and staff have the necessary resources they need to be successful.”
Stallings noted that the passion Orr and Reynold have for Fair Grove is unmatched. “What Daryle and Joy brought to the table was a passion for Fair Grove Schools. They trusted our administrators and teachers to make the best decisions for kids and they never allowed personal agendas to dictate their purpose on the board. They always had the best interest of teachers and students at heart,” he explained.
“It was a privilege to work alongside two outstanding people. Their commitment and dedication to the students, staff, and community of Fair Grove Schools will be truly missed,” Bell shared.
Stallings also said, “I believe what stands out the most was the positive energy that they brought to each board meeting. I appreciated hearing their final words during the board reorganization in April because you were able to see how much this school meant to them. They will not be easily replaced!”
Replacing their roles on the board, Cheryl Kepes was elected recently as the new School Board President, along with Tanner Dowling, who was voted in as the next School Board Vice President at the April 12, 2023 reorganization meeting.