OSSBA Honors All-State Board and Distinguished Service Award Winners
All-State School Board Awards
Distinguished Service Awards
OSSBA recently honored five school board members from across Oklahoma as this year’s 2023 All-State School Board, recognizing their outstanding service to their communities, school district and state.
Combined, this year’s honorees have served more than 10 decades as locally elected civil leaders. OSSBA is proud to recognize the following board members for their dedication and passion for public education, their communities and the students their districts serve: Frank Lornes, Marietta; JD Soulek, Pioneer Technology Center; Al Heitkamper, Little Axe; Dr. Joe Williams, Meridian Technology Center; and Susan Rhea, Newkirk. Lornes was also selected as the 2023 Buddy Spencer Leadership Award recipient.
In addition, Eva Martens of Fairview and John Clay of Caddo Kiowa Technology Center were honored as the 2023 Distinguished Service Award winners.
“We were honored to celebrate this year’s award winners at the 75th Education Leadership Conference,” OSSBA Executive Director Shawn Hime said. “As locally elected school board members, the 2023 OSSBA All-State Board and recipients of the Distinguished Service Award have played a critical role in ensuring the children in their communities are well-prepared for the future. It was an honor to get to recognize their dedication, support and passion for public education.”
The winners were honored during the OSSBA/CCOSA Education Leadership Conference on Saturday, Aug. 26.
Lornes was first elected to serve on the school board in 1988, and through decades of active involvement and service, he has earned the trust and faith of the Marietta community. With more than 30 years on the Marietta School Board, Frank Lornes has been a catalyst for growth and improvement in his district and community.
“Mr. Lornes’ commitment to the Marietta School District and, more importantly the children of this community, speak volumes and is a testament to his servant heart,” Marietta Superintendent Brandi Naylor said. “He has kept the students at the forefront of the board’s decisions through multiple generations, having exponential influence over the lives of so many. He deserves the utmost thanks and praise for his efforts. We have been incredibly blessed to have Frank Lornes on the Marietta School Board for so many years.”
His service has led to numerous improvements to Marietta Public Schools, including the passage of the largest bond project in the district’s history. The $19 million bond will help construct a middle school/high school building. During his tenure on the Marietta board, Lornes has become known as a true servant leader whose top priority is the well-being of the district’s staff and students.
JD Soulek’s knowledge and experience have been instrumental to the Pioneer Technology Center Board of Education for 23 years. After joining the board in 2000, Soulek has helped the district through key improvements and opportunities for growth, including the annexation of Woodland Public Schools into the technology center’s boundaries in 2005 and the addition of a Health Wing that improved health-related programs for current and future students in 2014.
“We are thrilled to celebrate JD Soulek and his recognition as a 2023 OSSBA All-State Board Member,” Pioneer Technology Center Superintendent Traci Thorpe said. “Pioneer Technology Center is grateful for Mr. Soulek’s long-time dedication, leadership and commitment to our district. This award is a well-deserved tribute to his efforts as a true champion of education.”
Not only has he helped the grow district programs and opportunities for its students but has assisted with several building and property acquisitions that have allowed programs such as the Truck Driver and Emergency Services Training to expand. In 2020, Soulek also helped break ground on a new westward expansion project that updated the culinary arts facilities and brought cosmetology to the main campus.
Al Heitkamper first joined the Little Axe Board of Education in 1998. During his 25-year tenure, Heitkamper has displayed a dedication to public education in Oklahoma and a commitment to providing services and opportunities to Little Axe students.
“If anyone deserves this award, it is Al,” Little Axe Board of Education President Beverly Felton said. “He goes above and beyond for this district and the role as a board member. He has served for over 25 years on the Board of Education for Little Axe Public Schools, and I hope that he continues to serve this district as long as he possibly can. He has a wealth of knowledge about the history of the school and even how some of the classes were formed from their early stages.”
During his service on the board, Heitkamper has demonstrated not only dedication but a passion for his district and community. He was integral to helping Little Axe Public Schools and the community after a tornado touched down and hit the school in 2010 and again in 2013, ensuring that the school had the necessary resources to continue to serve its students.
Since 2004, Dr. Joe Williams has been a key member of the Meridian Technology Center Board of Education. Meridian Technology Center relies on his leadership and input to prepare students to enter the Oklahoma workforce.
“Dr. Williams’ continuously demonstrates his commitment to Meridian’s mission,” Meridian Technology Center Superintendent Dr. Douglas Major said. “He takes a personal interest in our programs and services and makes a dedicated effort to ensure our students have opportunities for career success. He is attentive to the unique needs of our communities, our district employers and our constituents. We have definitely benefited from having Dr. Williams on our Board.”
In his 19 years on the school board, Williams has supported district growth and has been a familiar face on campus, learning from and visiting with staff and students. In 2022, Williams helped open the South Campus in Guthrie, which focuses on adult training and development.
During her 11 years on the Newkirk Board of Education, Susan Rhea has had the opportunity to implement decisions that have helped Newkirk Public Schools and its students grow and succeed. As an active school board member, she has shown dedication and willingness to serve the students and staff in her district and community.
“Susan Rhea has served on the Newkirk Board of Education for over a decade,” Newkirk Public Schools Superintendent Todd Overstreet said. “She has had the opportunity to make many decisions that have helped Newkirk Public Schools succeed in many different ways. Susan is a true servant and has had a positive impact on our school and community.”
Currently, Rhea is lending her knowledge and experience to the district’s vision creation committee, comprised of school stakeholders committed to developing a vision for Newkirk’s future. Every year, Newkirk Public Schools also elects Rhea to serve as its board of education representative for its negotiation team.
Eva Martens dedicated 36 years of service to the students, staff, parents and community members in Fairview as a school board member. First elected to serve on the Fairview Board of Education in 1986, Martens has shown a tremendous passion for Fairview Public Schools and the students within her district.
“Eva Marten’s service to Fairview Public Schools panned more than 30 years,” Fairview Public Schools Superintendent Craig Church said. “Her service was marked by several notable attributes. One, intense focus on upholding the high standards Fairview Public Schools and the Fairview community is known for and expects to see continued. Two, kid-first focus on all decisions. Three, caring for our staff in every way possible. Four, attention to little details. Clean campuses and freshly painted rooms matter, and they make a difference. If you look professional, you will act professionally. Five, a board should be professional in its business and adhere to all laws and standards. Summed up in a word – excellence.”
Martens helped pass numerous successful bond issues that helped improve district facilities, including a high school gym renovation and the construction of the Eva Martens Early Childhood Center. She retired from public service in 2022.
First elected to serve on the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center Board of Education in 1992, John Clay has dedicated over 29 years to uplifting and supporting the future workforce of Oklahoma.
“Mr. Clay was an extremely insightful board member,” Caddo Kiowa Technology Center Superintendent Tony Hancock said. “He was always aware of the overall impact decisions had on the school while not forgetting the individual impact on staff and students. Mr. Clay brought a great deal of integrity, knowledge and wisdom to the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center Board of Education and will be missed.”
As the board clerk, he helped guide his fellow board members with health care education and policy development. Clay retired from board service in 2021 and is leaving behind a legacy of growth and opportunity.
The All-State board is an honorary board that includes five of the most outstanding board members of the year. Nominations can come from superintendents or other board members, and winners are selected by a committee of board members who serve on OSSBA’s board of directors. The selection committee doesn’t include board members from nominee districts. Each winner received $400 for their district to spend on instructional materials.
The committee also selects one All-State board member to receive the Buddy Spencer Leadership Award. The recipient is someone who demonstrates leadership on a local or state level and a dedication to improving his or her boardsmanship. The award includes $600 for the district to spend on instructional materials.
Posted Oct. 6, 2023