Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) is announcing new leadership for the upcoming school year following Monday’s OKCPS Board of Education approval of incoming superintendent Dr. Jamie Polk’s recommended organizational structure improvements.
“While I don’t officially take the helm of our district until July 1st, I have been afforded the space to begin the transition as the next superintendent for OKCPS. Please know that everything I do will be anchored in our district’s vision: ‘By providing equitable access to a world-class education, every Oklahoma City Public Schools student will graduate ready to fulfill their unique purpose in a healthy, vibrant community.’ As I evaluated our organizational structure, I proposed a recommendation to our Board of Education to reorganize to better align our teams with our district's vision and goals. I believe we do our best work together and when the right people are in the right seats,” said Dr. Polk.
The new organization structure and teams have been built around OKCPS’ four strategic cornerstones.
Dr. Polk added, “While change can bring on improvement as well as challenges, when we work together to do what is best for our students, we can create an educational environment where every student graduates ready to fulfill their unique purpose in a healthy, vibrant community”.
Outlined below are new and returning leaders for the 2024-2025 school year.
Superintendent’s Cabinet
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Mr. Scott Randall, Chief Operating Officer*
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Scott served as the Chief Financial Officer for OKCPS from 2002 to 2015 before transitioning into the role of Chief of Operations. With more than 20 years of service to OKCPS and public education, Scott is uniquely qualified to oversee both the financial services and district operations teams.
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Ms. Alisha Suffield, Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement and Accountability*
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With 25 years of experience in public education, Alisha exhibits extensive knowledge of instructional leadership and a deep understanding of strategic goal setting to bring about organizational transformation.
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Ms. Verna Martin, Senior Executive Director of Secondary and Academics*
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With more than 30 years of experience, Verna has a proven track record of transformational leadership after working with OKCPS middle and high schools for the past decade.
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Mr. Jason Galloway, Senior Executive Director of Support and Accountability*
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With 25 years of experience, Jason brings a heightened focus on instructional infrastructure to ensure transformational conditions have the support needed to be effective.
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Ms. Laura McGee, Senior Executive Director of Elementary and Leadership*
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With more than 20 years of experience, Laura is passionate about education and committed to developing transformational leaders focused on sustainable results and student success.
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Mr. Brad Herzer, Assistant Superintendent of Talent Management*
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With 25 years of experience, Brad has served OKCPS in a variety of roles. The primary responsibility of his current position is to ensure that through strategic partnerships and collaboration, the HR, Security, and Risk Management teams recruit, hire, and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce and foster a healthy, safe, and productive work environment.
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Ms. Hayley Jones, Interim General Counsel
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With nearly 15 years of service to public education, Hayley was a classroom teacher for five years prior to attending law school. Hayley has over ten years of experience serving as a lobbyist and attorney in public education.
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Ms. Courtney Scott, Executive Director of Communications
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With more than 15 years of experience in school public relations, Courtney leads the strategy for our district’s communications and engagement efforts. Courtney is charged with ensuring the district’s story is shared with all of our stakeholders.
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*indicates a new or modified role
The following staff members will directly support our school leaders through this new organizational structure.
Elementary (PK-4) Instructional Leadership Team
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Dr. Laura Morris, Elementary Instructional Leadership Director ( ILD)/Principal Supervisor
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Dr. Trina Resler, Elementary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Mr. Dominic Barone, Elementary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Ms. Paula Pluess, Elementary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Ms. Natalie Johnson-Papageorge, Elementary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Dr. Stephanie Hinton , Executive Director of Early Childhood Education*
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Dr. Kartina McDaniel, Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum, Instructional and Professional Learning*
Secondary (5-12) Instructional Leadership Team
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Ms. Tara Grandy, Elementary / Secondary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Mr. Shaun Ross, Secondary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Mr. Shane Sanders, Secondary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Mr. Chris Gardner, Secondary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Mr. Toby Blair, Secondary ILD/Principal Supervisor
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Ms. Jahree Herzer, Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum, Instructional and Professional Learning*
*indicates a new or modified role
Left to Right: Alisha Suffield (Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement & Accountability), Jason Galloway (Sr. ED of Support & Accountability), Laura McGee (Sr. ED of Elementary / Leadership), Verna Martin (Sr. ED of Secondary / Academics)
Left to Right: Brad Herzer (Assistant Superintendent of HR), Scott Randall (Chief Operations Officer), Courtney Scott (ED Communications), Hayley Jones (Interim General Counsel)
