ALMA — Chapen Rucker of Alma has announced his intent to run for re-election to the Alma School District Board of Education.
A lifelong resident of Alma, Rucker was first elected to the board in 2013 and is looking forward to representing the residents and students of the Alma School District for another five years.
“Since being elected in 2013, I have very much enjoyed serving on the Board of Education.” Rucker said. “The support I have received from the public has been extremely positive and I believe I have represented their interests well in addition to the students and faculty of the Alma School District.”
A 2002 graduate of Alma, Rucker received a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2006. He then went to work for the family building business, Rucker Fine Homes. Rucker is married to Lyndsay, a Van Buren graduate, and their daughter, Addison, began kindergarten in August in Alma.
In the past four years, the Alma School District has begun serving free breakfast in the classroom each morning, purchased hundreds of Chromebook laptop computers for students, paid cash for 12 new buses to replace aging 1980s models, and has seen an increase in enrollment this year for the first time since 2013.
“I am proud of the district’s accomplishments in the last four years,” Rucker said. “We have been able to raise salaries above the yearly step increase multiple times and save nearly $4 million refinancing bonds. And all without adding any debt or raising taxes. That’s a big deal.”
With perfect attendance to all regularly scheduled and special meetings since being elected, Rucker stated, “I am committed to doing what I can for Alma. It’s exciting to be a representative of the district and represent the citizens. I look forward to serving another five years representing the community and the Alma School District.”