Marc Mason, a Republican who filed in December to seek a seat on the Lee County Board of Education in the 2026 election, has been appointed to fill a vacancy created when member Megan Garner, also a Republican, resigned last month.
Lee County Schools posted to Facebook Tuesday that Mason’s swearing in was “the first order of business” at the school board’s meeting that evening.
“We look forward to working with Mr. Mason as we continue our efforts to provide high quality education and opportunities for students to thrive across Lee County Schools,” the post read.
Garner ran for a seat on the school board in 2024 and led the ticket that year with 14,458 votes. Mason’s appointment assures he’ll be on the school board through at least 2028, when Garner’s term expires. Should he win one of the three seats up in the 2026 election, he could resign the one vacated by Garner and remain on the board for a four year term (the Lee County Republican Party would then appoint a replacement). If he doesn’t win a seat in November, he’d be able to serve out the remainder of the term he was just appointed to.
The Rant has reached out to Mason for comment.
In addition to Mason, incumbent Republicans Chris Gaster and Alan Rummel are seeking re-election to the school board in 2026. Former member Patrick Kelly, a Democrat who served two terms until his defeat in 2024, also filed for a seat. Unaffiliated candidate Yanira Scott is gathering signatures to get on the 2026 ballot.
Voters will be able to pick up to three school board candidates in the 2026 election, and the top three will win seats.