Although the General Election is almost three weeks away, school board candidate Kenny Hopper is virtually school board member-elect according to Panola County Circuit Clerk Melissa Meek-Phelps.

Hopper attended the monthly meeting of that board as an observer last Tuesday and watched as the present board and administration went through a relatively routine meeting lasting a little over an hour.

The circuit clerk said Panola County election commissioners who are actually in charge of running the general election, will likely certify Hopper the night of the election when they will declare him winner in the uncontested race.

She explained that state law allows unopposed school board candidates to be omitted from the ballot — a step that not only shortens the ballot, but saves county funds because an extra set of ballots would be needed for the uncontested race.

Hopper will serve South Panola’s District 5, presently held by Kim Nix who is not seeking re-election.

Each trustee of the five-member board is elected from a sub-district within South Panola School District and serves a five-year staggered term. Like judges, school board positions are non-partisan having no party primary elections.