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STAFF REPORT

Teacher of Distinction Recognition – Erin Wolke – Human Capital Manager

BOARD ACTIONS

The Board approved the following agenda items:

• Recommendation of employment of new personnel and reassignments

• Motion regarding Agreement with Critical Mention for real-time monitoring and analysis of online content related to the District

• Agreement with Positive Behavior Supports Corp., for independent comprehensive functional behavior assessment(s) requested by a parent or guardian of a Putnam City student for the 2025-2026 school year

• Motion regarding Agreement with Literacy Resources, LLC (dba Heggerty) for the purchase of Bridge to Writing Professional Development Webinar

• Motion regarding Agreement with Franklin Covey Client Sales, Inc. for the Membership Base Leader In Me Program for the 2025-2026 school year

• Motion regarding the Superintendent search process, OSSBA Executive Search Services Search Task List, Timeline, and Service Descriptions

For a full list of Board meeting items and attachments, please view the full agenda on our website.

COLLETTE SHEPARD-MCINTIRE 

Mrs. Shepard-McIntire was impressed by our student leaders tonight and said they have bright futures ahead. She also stated how great it was to see the proud and excited faces of family members in the audience as the Teachers of Distinction were recognized tonight.

CHARITY AVERY

Mrs. Avery was proud of the Teachers of Distinction who were recognized tonight. She was thankful for the District for proactively working to help our students and families during recent uncertain times. 

JUDY MULLEN-HOPPER

Mrs. Mullen-Hopper thanked all of the schools for the special Veterans Day celebrations. She mentioned PCN’s long-standing tradition of Leadership Development Institute (LDI) this past weekend and thanked the selfless dedication of the staff members who contributed. She spoke about the Teacher of Distinction program and encouraged more teachers to apply next year. She highlighted some items from recent interim studies and encouraged the community to be aware of these items as they often influence future legislation impacting education. 

STEVE BURGER

Mr. Burger gave a shoutout to all staff members involved in organizing the Teacher of Distinction program and those teachers who were selected. He also encouraged more teachers to apply next year for the program. 

Meeting Date: Monday, November 17, 2025, 5pm
Location: PC Centennial Center, Gail LoPresto Board Room
1914 Centennial Pkwy, OKC. OK. 73122
In Attendance: Board Members: President Steve Burger, Charity Avery, Judy Mullen-Hopper, and Collette Shepard-McIntire; Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes, Board Clerk Stephanie Knox
Next Meeting: Monday, December 8, 2025, 5pm

At each Board Meeting, we incorporate high school student leaders to open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence. This tradition is guided by our District's mission statement of empowering students to achieve personal success and enrich the community.

Tonight's student leaders were Nischal Joshi & Drake Woolery.

Nischal Joshi is a senior at Putnam City High School and is an

active student leader. He serves as Class President, Student

Council Spirit Leader, Vice President of Public Relations for

FCCLA, a Student Legislative Representative, and an intern for

Oklahoma State Senator Julia Kirt.

Nischal was selected as Chief of Staff at Oklahoma Boys State,

where he earned multiple awards, including the Director’s Award

for Executive Performance, and was nominated to Boys Nation.

He is also a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar and Finalist.

Nischal plans to study business and public policy in college and

hopes to use his education to expand opportunities for others.

Drake Woolery is a senior at Putnam City West High School.  He has been in Cyberpatriot for four years, NHS three years, JROTC for four years, and is presently serving as the Battalion Commander.

Drake plans on attending OU and getting his degree in Cybersecurity, specializing in penetration testing.

Drake has earned numerous awards throughout his high school years, including 1st Place State Round in Cyberpatriot, The Superior Cadet, Distinguished Cadet, and is currently ranked number one out of 468 in his senior class 

(not listed in photo order)

Allison Becker, Dennis Elementary

Lisa Boser, Rollingwood Elementary

Gladis Cabrera, Cooper Middle School

Jamie Causey, PC North High School

Linda Evans, PC High School

Cecelia McTighe, Dennis Elementary

Ryan Murphy, PC High School

Patrick Orth, Cooper Middle School

Joshua Paxson, Dennis Elementary

Eloise El Qacemi, Capps Middle School

Jeremy Scott, PC North High School

I am pleased to begin tonight by recognizing several outstanding educators who continue to elevate Putnam City Schools through their dedication and excellence.

First, congratulations to Ms. Silvia Maxwell of Mayfield Middle School, who has been named the Oklahoma Association of Bilingual Education’s Teacher of the Year. Ms. Maxwell’s commitment to supporting multilingual learners and their families is an invaluable asset to our District and a testament to her skill and heart as an educator.

We also celebrate Ms. Tenisha Lewis from PC High, who received the University of Central Oklahoma’s Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award. Her leadership, guidance, and mentorship ensure that the next generation of educators enters the profession prepared, supported, and inspired.

Additionally, we honor Ms. Brandy Musgrave, District Fine Arts Coordinator, for being named the Oklahoma Art Education Association Administrator of the Year. Her vision and advocacy continue to enrich our fine arts programs and expand opportunities for students across our District.

As we look toward the season ahead, our schools are beginning to welcome holiday festivities and the joy that comes with them. We want to extend a special thank you to Sodexo for providing an exceptional Thanksgiving lunch for our students last week. This is a tradition that always brings warmth, community, and celebration to all of our schools. It’s also fun to see our high school students go to the elementary school they attended to help serve this special meal.

We also want to congratulate the PC High Pirates Football team for advancing to the quarterfinals.  They will play Muskogee this Friday evening at Pirate Stadium at 7:00 pm.

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I wish all students, staff, families, and community members a safe, restful, and wonderful break. May this time bring you peace, gratitude, and moments of connection with family and friends.

-Dr. Fred Rhodes

November 24-28 Thanksgiving Holiday- No School/District Offices Closed

December 22-January 6 Winter Break- No School (Offices Open January 5, Classes resume January 7)

The Western Oaks Warriors faced off against the Mid-Del Eagles Tuesday night, giving 110% down to the final buzzer. 

PC North students joined District leaders in the brand-new Centennial Center for a Student Advisory Committee meeting full of history, honest conversations, and big ideas for the future. 

Students at PC North had a chance to practice confidence and professionalism under stage lights while showing their unique style. 

That’s the question echoing through Windsor Hills Elementary after UCO student Presley Cuneo shared her chemistry capstone through a series of colorful, hands-on experiments.

Tradition met next-generation talent at Putnam City High School’s Groundbreakers: As Good As It Gets Step Competition. Middle school teams competed to win, while PC High students showed off their skills. Even alumni joined in the stroll!

From classrooms to auditoriums across Putnam City, we honor those who have served. Many of our staff and alumni also carry that legacy of service, and continue to lead by example. Thank you, Veterans!

With winter plays and concerts gearing up across the District, Putnam City High’s production of Romeo and Juliet brought a literary classic to life at today's student matinee!

2nd graders at Windsor Hills are ready to open up their own stores after hosting Market Day! These Wildcats learned to design their own product, create their store, set pricing, provide customer service, convince customers to buy their product, and then count out their profits. What if the next great business owner just got their start? 

Overholser Elementary welcomed students from Riverside Indian School for Native American Heritage Month. Our Oilers learned about regalia symbols, joined in traditional dances, and even saw a stickball demonstration! It was a powerful day of learning from fellow students representing several tribal nations.

Students from Apollo Elementary represented Putnam City at last night’s Thunder Blue game, taking part in the ‘Living Flag’ during the National Anthem. What a memorable moment for these Eagles!

Huge congratulations to the following FCCLA students on their stand-out performances at FCCLA STAR Events Competition recently! 

PC North

Madelyn Smith – 1st Place – Children’s Literature – Level 3

Kaydence Alford – 1st Place – Job Interview – Level 2

Mya Keys and Kailia Thompson – 2nd Place – Repurpose and Redesign – Level 2

Trinity Gaines – 3rd Place – Job Interview – Level 3

Saryah – Lynne Turner – 3rd Place – Repurpose and Redesign – Level 3

Jada Liggins – 3rd Place Creed Speaking – Level 2

PC West

Frida Zepeda 1st Cake Decorating

Capps MS

Ainsley Sherrill – 1st Place – FCCLA Creed Speaking

Patrick Dobbson – 2nd Place – Children’s Literature

PC High

Allison Loera 1st Place - Career Investigation Level 2- 

Jimena Saucedo- 1st Place - Career Investigation Level 3

Anthony Larkpor- 1st Place - Creed Speaking Level 2

Jessica Escobar- 1st Place -Professional Presentation Level 2

Paloma De Loera and Sara Pinzon Reyes - Professional Presentation Level 3

Lilyana Nevarez and Sophia Stone- 1st Place - Repurpose and Redesign Level 2

Makenzie Wright- 2nd Place - Repurpose and Redesign Level 3

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Putnam City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, identity, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disability. Translations are completed by Google Translate.