A longtime school board member from Pauls Valley Public Schools will serve as president of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association for the next year. Joe Don Looney has served on the Pauls Valley school board since 2004, currently serving as its president.  

“School board members understand that our state’s future leaders are in today’s classrooms and have a deep commitment to ensuring students are prepared for their future,” Looney said. “OSSBA serves school board members statewide, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead and help ensure every school board receives the support and services they need to pave a path to success for every child.” 

Looney, a Pauls Valley graduate, said he began serving on his local school board as a way to give back to the community and “repay the investment others made in me.” 

Other officers for 2023-2024 are: Rick Gowin, North Rock Creek Public Schools, president-elect; Melissa Abdo, Jenks Public Schools, first vice president; Darrell Ward, Denison Public Schools, second vice president; and Cheryl Lane, Frontier Public Schools, past president. 

The officer slate was unanimously approved at the OSSBA Delegate Assembly during the OSSBA/CCOSA Education Leadership Conference.

OSSBA is a non-profit association governed by a 32-member board of directors comprised of local school board members. For a complete list of OSSBA directors, please visit our board of directors page..