Pope County Quorum Court sets July 23 meeting to appoint Russellville board seat

Russellville AR — The Pope County Quorum Court is scheduled to hold a special called meeting on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. to address an at-large Russellville School Board seat vacancy.

The vacancy is for the position previously held by Joe Sitkowski. County officials said the Russellville School District has indicated it will not make the appointment before its July 20 deadline, which would send the decision back to the Quorum Court.

What triggered the county step

River Valley Radio reports the issue traces to the Russellville School Board’s June 9 meeting, when the board could not agree on a candidate for the vacant at-large seat. After that, discussions moved toward whether the district would fill the role or allow the statutory deadline to pass and shift the responsibility to the county.

What the Quorum Court agenda includes July 23

Pope County’s official meetings listing schedules a special called Quorum Court meeting for July 23 at 5:30 p.m. The agenda packet for that meeting includes a resolution to appoint someone to the Russellville School Board of Directors at-large position vacated by Joe Sitkowski.

Expected petition-qualified candidates

River Valley Radio reports the Quorum Court is expected to consider petition-qualified candidates who were already part of the district’s earlier appointment process. The names reported as expected to be brought forward are:

• Jerry Allen Linton
• Adam Childers
• Luke Duffield

Because the meeting is upcoming, residents should treat these names as expected candidates—final candidates and any wording will need to match what appears in the meeting materials and proceedings.

How the appointment vote is expected to work

River Valley Radio also reports the county expects to follow a similar process to an earlier appointment, with each candidate given five minutes to speak before justices vote on the appointment.

What residents should watch next

The July 23 Quorum Court decision will determine who fills this at-large School Board role for the next phase of district governance. If you’re a parent, commuter, or taxpayer tracking education policy in Russellville, this is the meeting that moves the vacancy from district debate to an official county appointment.

Sources

• River Valley Radio: Quorum Court special meeting planned for Russellville School Board appointment
• Pope County Arkansas: Meetings/Agendas page (special called Quorum Court meeting listing)
• BoardBook: Russellville School District June 9, 2026 regular board meeting agenda