Ozark school board elects new president

Photo provided by Ozark School District

Aaron Johns is the 2020-21 president of the Ozark Board of Education.

The Ozark School District Board of Education yesterday elected a new president and swore in three incumbent members.

Aaron Johns was named president to succeed Jeff Laney, who held the position for a year. Johns' term covers the 2020-21 academic year, during which Tom Bass will serve as the board's vice president, according to a news release.

“It’s a pleasure to take over the helm and follow in the footsteps of the previous great presidents that we’ve had as a board,” Johns said in the release.

Johns, a 12-year board member and Ozark School District alum, said a priority would be an innovation center and second high school planned at the former Fasco building, a 170,000-square-foot space. It's part of the district's long-range plan with an overall price tag exceeding $57 million, according to past reporting.

The Ozark board on Tuesday swore in incumbent members Laney, Bass and Shane Nelson. They were re-elected during the June 2 election, according to the release.