Howell appointed to Van Buren Board of Education

At its January meeting on Tuesday, the Van Buren School District welcomed its newest Board of Education member, Jacob Howell.

A Van Buren High School (VBHS) alum, Howell is the Founding Pastor of Merge Church in Van Buren. He is also a licensed attorney and operated the Howell Law Firm in Van Buren before transitioning to full-time ministry. Upon graduating from VBHS, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Howell graduated with his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law and returned to practice law in his hometown. He and his wife Kristen live in Van Buren with their three children.

“It is always exciting to have Van Buren graduates return to lead our District, as they have a familiarity with the community and a vested interest in seeing our schools succeed,” said Superintendent Dr. Harold Jeffcoat. 

Howell was appointed to fill the seat previously held by the Honorable Candice Settle. A long-time attorney and partner in the Settle-Jernigan law firm, Settle was sworn in as a Crawford County Circuit Court judge on January 1. She served on the Board from 2012 to 2020 and held the offices of Secretary and Vice-President, before presiding as President from 2017 to 2020. In 2015, she was honored with the Arkansas School Board Association’s (ASBA) Outstanding Board Member Award. The following year, she received the ASBA Master Board Member Award. Under her leadership, the VBSD Board of Education also received the prestigious 2019 ASBA School Board of Excellence in Leadership Award.

As judge, Settle had the privilege of formally swearing in Howell at Tuesday night’s meeting. The Board of Education previously honored her for her service at the District’s regular meeting in December. 

“During her time on the Board, Judge Settle has been a visionary leader and a strong advocate for children,” said Jeffcoat. “Her commitment to excellence has led to many positive improvements in the Van Buren School District. She will be greatly missed. I am thankful for her dedication and support of VBSD.”