Ozark School District board makes selection for recently vacated seat

A recently vacated Ozark School District Board of Education seat has been filled, following scrutiny from a Missouri House of Representatives member about the process.

The board voted 4-2 at a special meeting yesterday to appoint Matthew Growcock to the role vacated last month by Guy Callaway, according to a news release. Opposing board members James Griffin and Christina Tonsing were in favor of another candidate, Rae-Ann Wade, said Amelia Wigton, the district's communication specialist.

Growcock, one of nine applicants for the role, is an attorney by trade. His LinkedIn profile notes his work since 2020 as president and general counsel of real estate company PMA Holdings LLC after previously serving as managing partner at Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law LLC.

Besides Growcock and Wade, the other applicants were Mark Burton, Laura Head Elliott, Jeremiah Hembree, Martin Hohulin, Ashleigh Jones, Brian Rohlman and Patrick Sullivan, said Wigton.

"We are excited to welcome Growcock to the board and look forward to working with him while we continue to focus on our mission to provide high-quality education for each student’s future-readiness," said Lori Wilson, district superintendent, in the release.

Growcock's selection for Callaway's seat means he’ll serve out the remainder of the term lasting through April 2026. With Growcock’s appointment, the list of school board candidates narrows to three for the upcoming general municipal election on April 8. Two board seats are up for grabs, with Wade, incumbent Sarah Adams Orr and Wade Wheeler now in the running, according to the release.

The December resignation of Callaway drew criticism from state Rep. Jamie Gragg, R-Ozark, who has alleged the decision was delayed to prevent the seat from appearing on the April ballot, according to past reporting. Gragg has said he first learned about Callaway's planned exit, due to him moving to Florida, in mid-2024, and repeatedly urged the board to act sooner.

Gragg did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.