STARKVILLE — Cassandra Palmer will serve as the newest member of the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District board of trustees.
She will assume her post in January.
Palmer won a runoff election Tuesday against candidate Rev. Ronnie Tucker by a vote of 731-481. That unofficial total includes 78 absentee ballots and six accepted affidavits (of a total of 15 cast).
Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk Tony Rook said only 8.36 percent of eligible registered voters participated in the election.
The two candidates qualified for the runoff after placing first and second, respectively, in a four-candidate race on Nov. 2 — incumbent John Brown and Willette DuVall were the other candidates.
This is one of two elected seats on the SOCSD board chosen by voters who live outside the Starkville city limits. The other three board spots, filled by Starkville residents, are appointed by the board of aldermen.
After a campaign season of meeting residents throughout the county, Palmer said she is excited to assume her role on the board and continue building relationships.
“I’m just looking forward to continuing what I’ve already begun, which is getting to know people of the county and their desires and needs and being able to express those,” Palmer said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to build bridges and increase communication with the people who live out in the county that sometimes feel a little left out.”
Palmer credited Tucker for running a good, clean campaign and said she hopes to work with him in the future to increase communication within the district.
Tucker likewise complimented his opponent on a good race.
“The voters have spoken, and we shall move forward,” Tucker said.
Palmer has volunteered with the SOCSD Parent-Teacher Organization for several years, serving three years as the executive PTO president through 2020. She is a licensed professional counselor who worked within both Starkville and Oktibbeha County school districts before consolidation through counseling services.
SOCSD Superintendent Eddie Peasant said he is excited to work with Palmer because she has been a constant supporter of the district.
“Mrs. Palmer has long been an advocate for students, teachers and families in our school district, and I look forward to working with her as a member of the board of trustees,” Peasant said.
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