School Board members honored in January

January is School Board Recognition Month, which is 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.

Ponca City Public School board members were honored at their January meeting.  Board members were presented with lots of items from school employees and students, including:

• Garfield – a large banner signed by Garfield “stars”
• Lincoln – “Thank You” hand-drawn pictures by Ms. Roehl’s kindergarten class
• Liberty – oversized “Thank You” card with bushel basket/apple theme signed by all students
• Roosevelt – Framed ‘Wildcat’ artwork and OK shaped iced sugar cookies inscribed “Thank you”
• Trout – oversized “Thank You” card with apple tree and apples signed by all students AND Trout Cards
• Union – small tub with candy, Bath & Body Works items, and miscellaneous gifts
• Central Office staff members – gift cards to local restaurants
• Woodlands – homemade cookies and Starbucks gift card
• West Middle School – personalized drink cups
• East Middle School – framed poster with student body picture thanking board members for all they do
• Ponca City High School – gift basket with T-shirts, mugs and various gift items
• Certificate of Appreciation from OSSBA for dedicated service

“Providing our students a quality education is the most important investment we can make,” said Superintendent Shelley Arrott. “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 students. Most people don’t fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities.

“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. The time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the hours school board members spend leading in their districts,” Arrott said. “They also work hard at seminars 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 at extracurricular events.”

School board members come from all walks of life. They are farmers, secretaries, doctors, lawyers, homemakers, architects, truck drivers, professors, business owners and real estate agents, to name a few. Although they wear many hats in the workday world, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to the business of leading their school districts. Board members must pull together as a team toward a common goal – helping students achieve. Though they may individually disagree on certain issues, their role as a board is to consistently strive toward that goal.

The Ponca City Board of Education includes:

Board President Dr. David Kinkaid was elected in 2006. He serves on the Board Property Committee and has served as Board President twice. He owns and operates Kinkaid’s Veterinary Hospital.

Vice President Don Nuzum was elected in 1999. He serves on the Board Property and Finance Committees and has served as Board President 12 times. He is a past recipient of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association’s Platinum Excellence Award, which is designed to recognize the time and commitment made by board members in continuing their education beyond the legal requirements. Nuzum manages the Ponca City airport.

Board member Robin Riley was appointed in 2012. He serves on the Board Finance Committee and has served as Board President one time. Robin is a retired Conoco employee.

Board member Judy Throop was elected in 2004 and has served as Board President twice. She serves on the Board Curriculum Committee. She is a retired school teacher and taught many years for the district. She was recently elected as Oklahoma State School Boards Association’s Region 3 Director, serving Garfield, Grant, Kay, Noble, Pawnee and Payne Counties.

Board member Nancy Zimmerschied is the newest member, elected in 2017. She serves on the Board Curriculum Committee. Nancy works for Jupiter Sulphur.