PONCA CITY – Ponca City Public School board members were honored at their January, 2020 meeting. They were presented with items from school employees & students including: gift baskets with a variety of items including candy, ball caps, T-Shirts, cards, homemade goodies and lots of other items.
January is National School Board Recognition Month and an opportunity for local schools and communities to honor Oklahoma’s more than 2,700 elected school board members for their dedication to children and schools. Superintendent Shelley Arrott shared information about the honored Board Members at the January Board of Education Meeting. “These ladies and gentlemen bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to the table. They question, bring ideas, offer suggestions from different perspectives, challenge me to grow as a leader, and truly are wonderful assets to the district. These community leaders make a five-year commitment when elected or appointed to the board and spend countless volunteer hours serving this district. There are many hours of behind-the-scene work other than a two to three hour BOE meeting the second Monday of each month. Their job entails an endless string of meetings and school functions to attend; reams of reports, agendas, proposals and other information to read and study; and a host of difficult decisions to make. They also work hard at conferences and training sessions to keep abreast of the latest trends in educational leadership, are deeply involved in community activities and spend many hours in the schools and attending extracurricular events.”
“Our board members continually support our staff and are appreciative of all they do for the students of PCPS. We are proud of our board members and appreciate their commitment and hard work. Their tireless efforts play a significant role in the continuing success of our students.”
Ponca City Public School Board of Education
Robin Riley, President, Term 2016-2021
Nancy Zimmershied, Vice President, Term 2017-2022
Dr. David Kinkaid, Member, Term 2019-2024
Don Nuzum, President, Term 2020-2025
Judy Throop, Member, Term 2018-2023
Robin Riley: Robin Riley is currently the Board President. He represents Ward #1 and was appointed to the Board in 2012 when there was a mid-term opening on the board. He is a retired Conoco employee. He serves on the finance committee and has been the president of the board twice. Robin is a Po-Hi graduate and has a grandchild attending PCPS. He spends many hours learning, reviewing, discussing, and asking questions regarding all areas to ensure that school officials continually grow and improve as a district. It is obvious he has the best interest of the district and students as his main focus.
Nancy Zimmerschied: Nancy Zimmerschied is the current Vice President of the Board and represents Ward #2. She is the newest member of the board beginning her tenure in 2017. She works for Jupiter Sulphur in Ponca City. She serves on the board curriculum committee. Nancy has a unique perspective as a parent of current PCPS students and was a Po-Hi graduate herself. She is a wonderful voice on the board and wants students to experience the best opportunities with PCPS has to offer.
Dr. David Kinkaid: Board member Dr. David Kinkaid owns and operates Kinkaid’s Veterinary Clinic and has been a PCPS board member since 2006 representing Ward #4. He serves on the board property committee and has served as president of the board two times. Dr. Kinkaid is a Po-Hi graduate and is a very compassionate board member who truly loves the district, students, employees, and parents. Superintendent Arrott explained, “Any time I speak with David about anything, he always brings up a student, an employee, or a patron and tell me what a great Wildcat they are.
Judy Throop: Board member Judy Throop is a retired, longtime PCPS teacher and was elected to the board in 2004 representing Ward #3. She is a Po-Hi graduate and has grandchildren attending in the district. She serves on the curriculum committee, and she has been board president twice. She was elected as OSSBA Region 3 Director, serving Garfield, Grant, Kay, Noble, Pawnee, and Payne Counties. Judy’s perspective as a former educator makes her an invaluable member of the board because she understands the learning and teaching process and strives to improve all aspects of student learning.
Don Nuzum: Don Nuzum represents Ward #5 and is the longest standing board member serving since 1999. He is the manager of the Ponca City Airport. He has served as the president of the board thirteen times and serves on the board finance and property committees. Mr. Nuzum is the past recipient of the OSSBA Platinum Excellence Award, which is designed to recognize the time and commitment made by board members in continuing their education beyond the legal requirements. Don is the voice of experience on the board and has a great deal of knowledge about the operations and finances of the district. He works diligently to best serve the students and the district.
