By MARCUS MCCLAIN
NEA Town Courier
Early voting for an at-large Gosnell School Board seat began on May 2 with an official voting day set for May 9. Candidates include Lindsey Rouse, Cody Mace and Christian Foster.
The seat was previously held by board member Gary Payne. Superintendent Len Whitehead told The Courier that Payne advised the board he would not run for re-election near the turn of the new year.
Payne was also operating as the board’s vice president.
Foster made the move to Gosnell 13 years ago, originally from North Carolina. Since being here, he and his family have been members of the Wellsprings Church. Foster has assisted in teaching children in the pre-kindergarten age and beyond. Foster and his wife have two children early in their education at Gosnell and he is yearning to become even more involved in the Pirate community.
Mace is a native of Gosnell and son of former superintendent Bonard Mace. Cody and his wife, Rachel, are also Gosnell alumni, with Rachel employed as the secondary nurse at the school. They currently have one daughter in preschool in Gosnell, with another excited to start.
Rouse is a former educator, as well as a Pirate alumni. After achieving a master’s degree in education, she taught at the district for 13 years. She and her husband have two children still within the district, and another that has already graduated. With her educational back-ground, coupled with her experience in Gosnell classrooms, she is eager to take the next step and serve as a district board member.
Early voting will last until May 5. Gosnell residents may vote at the county election center, 309 N. 5th Street, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 9 will serve as the official election day.