Kiamichi Tech school board leaders recognized

Kiamichi Tech school board leaders recognized

WILBURTON – Dedicated to public education, school board members across the state are committed to providing every opportunity possible to students in their community. January is School Board Recognition Month, providing local schools and communities the chance to honor Oklahoma’s more than 2,700 elected school board members for their dedication and service.   

“Providing our students with a solid education is the most important investment we can make,” said Shelley Free, Superintendent at Kiamichi Tech. “We’re proud of our district, and Board of Education Recognition Month affords us the opportunity to say thank you and celebrate the accomplishments of our elected board members.”

Kiamichi Tech school board members develop policies and make tough decisions on the complex educational and social issues impacting all of the communities that Kiamichi Tech serves. They bear responsibility for an annual budget of $51 million, over 20,000 full-time and short-term students, 277 employees and 13 locations.

“Our school board members make critical decisions that affect southeast Oklahoma and oversee millions in educational expenditures,” notes Free. “They preserve the core of our democracy—public education.”

The Kiamichi Technology Centers Board of Education was honored at their January meeting. The men and women serving the Kiamichi Tech District are Anne Brooks, Larry Culwell, Betty Ford, Colette Harper, Dara McCoy, Ernie Taylor and Brock Whittington.

Kiamichi Technology Centers (Kiamichi Tech) has played a significant role in the growth of southeast Oklahoma communities since 1968, serving nine full and four partial counties. With a mission to ‘Prepare People for Success,” Kiamichi Tech meets local workforce needs through full-time career training programs, short-term courses and customized training for businesses. The District is led by the vision and guidance of Superintendent Shelley Free and a seven-member Board of Education.

Kiamichi Tech is part of the Oklahoma CareerTech system, which offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts and operates on 60 campuses across the state.