Owasso Board Set for Another Year
By KELSY LORIN TAYLOR
Web Editor and Feature Writer
SERVING THE DISTRICT: Members of the Owasso Board of Education enjoy reaching out to students and families in the district. Posing before a recent board meeting are, from left, Superintendent Clark Ogilvie, Brent England, Gail Ballinger, Clerk Amy Cady, Vice President Pat Vanatta and President Frosty Turpen.
GTR Newspapers photo
Members of the Owasso Board of Education bring the district together by ensuring communication, analyzing decisions and providing responsible leadership. This year brings the promise of continued support to the school district through the dedication of the board members. With the February reelection of Frosty Turpen, the board is set for another year.
Board members are elected by registered voters of their respective districts for five-year terms and receive no pay for performing their duties. School Board elections are held on the second Tuesday in February, with one Board position open for election each year. Only those registered voters living within the geographical boundaries of the Board district in which a term is expiring or in which a vacancy exists are eligible to vote for that Board position.
Pat Vanatta represents Ward 1 and serves as the vice president of the Owasso Board of Education. Vanatta was elected to the position in 2006 and is still serving in her first term. “I felt that as a retired educator, I would be able to impart valuable knowledge to the board.” She had been a teacher for a total of 25 years.
Vanatta has enjoyed serving on the board since her election. “There is satisfaction and pride in being a part of the best school district in Oklahoma, if not the entire nation. I also have the desire to serve my community and the children of Owasso. I am truly honored to serve and humbled to have this responsibility.”
Representing Ward 2 and serving as the clerk of the Owasso Board of Education is Amy Cady. She was elected to the position two and a half years ago. “I read about the need within my district to have someone serve in this capacity and submitted my name for consideration. My children both attend Owasso Public Schools and I felt it would be a good way to give back to my local community and stay involved with their educational process.”
Cady enjoys observing the accomplishments of the schools through her involvement with the board. “I get to see the inside of how each of our great schools work, the teacher’s awards, overall test scores and how teachers are working to improve the lives for whom they are responsible.”
Gail Ballinger is currently representing Ward 3 as a member of the Owasso Board of Education. She was elected to the position in 2003. “I first became interested in serving on the board during the last years of my teaching career before I retired in 1995. I love serving on the board because of the challenges that we have to meet. I also enjoy being able to continue to serve and be involved in education in the district that I love.”
Ballinger feels that being on the board brings the opportunity to become more involved with the citizens of Owasso. “Very soon, a large number of individuals will have a series of meetings for strategic planning on where we want the Owasso School District to go over the next few years and what goals that we want to see accomplished. I really enjoy the interaction and hearing what other people have to say and offer.”
Representing Ward 4 as a member of the Owasso Board of Education is Brent England. He was unavailable for comment. Additionally, Forrest Turpen represents Ward Five as the president of the Owasso Board of Education. He was unopposed and reelected for the position this February. Turpen was also unavailable for comment.
Updated 03-24-2010
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