Ozark School Board Members

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Sarah Adams Orr - President
Term Expires 2026
Ms. Orr, as a fifth-generation Ozark resident, knows there is nothing more important than our schools. Orr’s grandfather and mother were previous school board members and they instilled a strong value of education in her from a very young age. She graduated from OHS in 1987 and proceeded to get her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 1991. Ms. Orr has two daughters, Emily, a 2018 OHS graduate and Mary "Mimi" who attends Ozark and will graduate in the Class of 2028. She is owner and funeral director of Adams Funeral Home in Ozark and Nixa. She and her late husband Mark are founders of Finley River Community Foundation of which she is a current board member. Ms. Orr is also a founder and current board member for Impact 100 Ozark. Previously, Ms. Orr has served on the Ethics Committee for Missouri Funeral Directors Association. Orr is also a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, National Funeral Directors Association, Missouri Funeral Directors Association, Ozark and Nixa Area Chambers of Commerce and Ozark Schools PTA.
"I enjoy visiting our schools and have learned so much in the past several years on the Ozark School Board. I am more excited than ever about the future of Ozark Schools!"

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Patty Quessenberry - Vice President
Term Expires 2024
While living in Ozark for 40 years and serving on the Ozark Board of Education since 1997, Ms. Quessenberry has developed many strong relationships with the leaders within our community. She believes that the partnerships and relationships built between the Ozark Schools, the City of Ozark and the Chamber of Commerce are key to the progress and strength of our community. With a business management degree from Missouri State University, Quessenberry uses her expertise to assist in keeping the District responsible and financially sound. As board president in 2016, Ms. Quessenberry led the Ozark Board of Education to receive the Outstanding Board of Education Award for Governance, Leadership and Accountability award from the Missouri School Board Association. Ms. Quessenberry also served on the Missouri School Board Association Region 10 Regional Executive Committee and currently serves on the Board of Directors for MSBA advocating for students and public education across the state. Locally, Quessenberry is involved in her community by serving on several other boards, including the Historic River District, Inc., Impact 100 Ozark and the Ozark Farmers Market Board. She served on the Christian County Library Foundation board for six years and was a member of CCCC Sertoma for three years. Ms. Quessenberry continually tries to learn more about this community whenever she has the opportunity, as she completed the OzarkLeads in the Premier Class and was in the first graduating class of the Ozark Citizens Fire Academy.
“I am deeply passionate about Ozark Schools and this community. My commitment as a board member is to continue to help make decisions that will always put the student first to get the best education possible, whether here in Ozark or throughout the State of Missouri.”

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Tom Bass
Term Expires 2023
Mr. Bass chose to join the board “in order to serve in my community and to help provide children with the best possible education.” He has lived in Ozark for 15 years and owns a home and business here. He has his master’s degree in criminal justice administration. With his extensive management and executive background, Mr. Bass is able to provide valuable insight to the board.
He believes that “we are positioned for a strong financial future in the district, and we will seek to be the best overall district we can be.”

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Mark Jenkins
Term Expires 2026
Mr. Jenkins was born and raised in Sparta, Missouri. He graduated from Sparta High School and continued his education at Southwest Baptist University, graduating with a degree in accounting. In 1997, he began his career in banking at the Citizens Bank of Sparta working with his father and grandfather. In 2005, after a brief stint with Jack Henry and Associates, he went to work for Citizens National Bank of Springfield, where he stayed until 2010 when they were sold to Empire Bank. He then went to work for Systematic Savings Bank for a year and a half until he was recruited to the Bank of Billings as their President/CEO for the past 10 years. Having lived in Ozark since 1998, he has been involved in various clubs, including Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club. He has served on the Ozark Park Board, and currently serves on the Show-Me Christian County Strong Business Council and on the MU Extension Board of Directors. He currently attends River Bluff Fellowship church.
Mr. Jenkins has been married to Jennifer Jenkins for the past 22 years. He has two children, Madelyn (20), who is attending Evangel University, and Luke (16), who is a sophomore at Ozark High School.

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Aaron Johns
Term Expires 2024
Mr. Johns is a fifth-generation Ozark resident who considers it an honor to give back to his school and community. He believes the Ozark educational experience helped prepare him to graduate from Missouri State University with a degree in agriculture business. Johns is actively involved in the Ozark community and enjoys supporting the school activities. With 25 years of management experience, he is a valuable asset for the board. Mr. Johns is excited to be able to help provide students with the best learning tools and give them the skills to compete in the job market while providing our entire staff with modern working environments and instructional tools that will help them excel with our kids within each building.
"I want to thank the Ozark community for supporting our school."

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Jeff Laney
Term Expires 2023
Mr. Laney has called Ozark home for 35 years. Laney graduated from Ozark in 1992 before obtaining his bachelor's degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 1996 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri - Columbia, School of Law in 2000. Laney is a partner at Haden, Cowherd & Bullock, LLC where he has practiced since 2002. He and his family are members at First Baptist Church of Ozark and he enjoys coaching his sons' youth sports.
Laney and his wife, Dawn, have three sons.
“I am looking forward to giving back to the school and community that have given so much to me.”

Phone: 417-861-4556
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Shane Nelson
Term Expires 2023
Mr. Nelson has been an Ozark resident since 2002. He graduated from Cabool High School in 1986 and attended Missouri State University. He has worked in Ozark since 1993 and is a commercial real estate agent with Estes Stancer Commercial Group. Mr. Nelson is very active in the community and has served in many roles including Mayor of Ozark, Vice President of the Ozark Fire Protection District, Chairman of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, President of Rotary, Care to Learn Ozark Advisory Board member and Catholic Business Network of the Ozarks Board member. He volunteers with Care to Learn, Ozark Rotary Club and any other group that asks for his help. He is co-founder of Penguins & Princesses, Care to Learn Ozark’s largest annual fundraiser. As Mayor, he was instrumental in forming the Partnership in Progress with the Ozark School District. He is the creator of the New Teacher Luncheon and, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, the Adopt-A-Class Program. Mr. Nelson and his wife, Carrie, have one daughter who attends Ozark High School. They also have a Welsh Terrier named Fozzwald and a cat named Romeo. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, grilling and spending time with his family and pets.
“It is an honor to be able to serve on the Board of such a great district and I am happy to continue to do whatever I can to help Ozark in the future. We are very fortunate to live in this great community that supports our school system so strongly.”
Phone: 417-582-5982
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Board Secretary
Ashli Price