New school transportation director named

Randy Empting officially took over as the new Transportation Director for the Ponca City Public School District on Sept. 1, 2015. Empting replaces Marty Ladd who recently retired.

“I am very excited to be back working within the Ponca City School system,” Empting said.

Empting is not new to the Ponca City School district. He is retired from the Ponca City Police Department. During his career at the Police Department, he was the first D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officer and School Resource Officer for the school district.

Empting worked closely with the school district for approximately 10 years. When he retired from the Police Department, he was a sergeant, team leader on the Tactical Team, and School Resource Officer at East and West Middle Schools.

Empting graduated from Ardmore High School and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He has been married for 34 years to Ponca City native and Po-Hi graduate Cindy Empting. The couple has three boys that all graduated from Po-Hi.

Former Transportation Director Marty Ladd officially retired Sept. 1, 2015. He has served as the Transportation Director for the district since 2000.

“I took over for Jerry Lee in June of 2000, with 2000-2001 as my first year in transportation," Ladd said. "I’ve been with the district since the summer of 1993. I think the most important thing I’ve learned and would like to pass along to Randy is to be patient, learn to listen and not just hear, and never lose focus of the most important aspect of any of our jobs in education, doing what’s best for kids. When parents or employees are unhappy about a situation, listen closely and weigh all options before making any decisions."

Ladd said he has two beautiful daughters.

"They are both Po-Hi grads, who have blessed me with four great grandkids, two boys and two girls. I look forward to seeing a lot more of them, as well as getting back on the golf course on a more regular basis. I also plan on working part time for the district as a substitute and activity driver,” he said.

Another big change for the Transportation Department is new secretary Denee’ Rice.

Rice is originally from Kansas, where she worked at a not-for-profit agency in their Transportation Department for about 18 years.

“I have lived in Ponca City over 13 years and have three children (well really two, but we raised my niece who is like our child)," she said. "Our two girls are grown and live in Tulsa, and my niece lives in Wellington and has two children of her own. That makes me a great aunt, but no grandkids yet. I don’t have any hobbies; I just love spending time with my family and friends. I have really enjoyed joining the transportation team here. They are a great group of people to work with.”

Pictured: Randy Empting and Denee’ Rice