By Meghan McCormick
As the filing period for school board elections in Cleveland County entered its second day Tuesday, four more people filed for various seats, bringing the list of candidates to nine.
Kim Gaddie, 40, 3801 Chamberlyne Way, filed for candidacy Tuesday for the Norman Public Schools Board of Education Office 4 seat in northwest Norman. Brooks Hull, 36, 4905 Cypress Lake Drive, filed his candidacy papers Monday.
Gaddie said Norman is a community with a strong commitment to high educational standards.
"I have been fortunate to work alongside many dedicated parents and teachers during the last decade," Gaddie said. "I want to continue that work as the office 4 representative on the board of education."
Gaddie said as a parent and school board member, she wants to know that children are attending schools with high academic standards, and that the teachers can carry out instruction in a safe, creative environment while using quality, innovative techniques and the best and latest technologies.
“It is also important to ensure that parents have a full understanding of the rights of their children, as well as their responsibilities as parents to work with the schools to ensure that their child gets the most out of their education," she said.
Hull said he declared candidacy for the board seat after NPS board president Ken McBride announced in October he would not seek another term.
"He was an outstanding school board president and school board member," Hull said about McBride.
Hull has served on the Norman Public Schools Foundation. He said Norman Public Schools is one of the best districts in the state. But the school system should strive to become the best school district in Oklahoma.
"It was important to me that someone serve in the capacity where they think they can make the most difference," Hull said.
Two candidates have filed for Moore Public Schools Board of Education Office 4 seat. Incumbent Debbie Venard, 11125 Lakeridge Run, Oklahoma City, filed for the seat Monday.
Venard drew an opponent Tuesday. Jon Painter, 2209 Alderham Street, Oklahoma City has filed as a candidate for the board seat.
Little Axe Public Schools Board of Education president David Gray, 15909 Oakside Drive, Newalla, filed for reelection Tuesday.
Robin Hill Public School Board clerk Michael J. Walsh, 43 6425 E. Tecumseh Road, declared his candidacy for Office 2 seat Tuesday.
Walsh said if re-elected, he would serve a second term. The board seat is a three-year term.
He said he wants to continue serving on the board because it's an important position as far as civic duty is concered.
"I think we have done a lot of good things in the school district, and we're looking forward to a bright future," Walsh said.
Dr. Max Venard, 58, incumbent for Moore Norman Technology Center Office 4 seat, filed paperwork at the Cleveland County Election Board Monday to retain his seat.
Venard said he will seek his fourth term. He was first elected to the board in 1994.
Monday, Robin Stead, Noble Public Schools Board of Education president, filed for the Office 4 seat. Lexington Public Schools Board of Education Office 4 incumbent Paul Garrett also filed for re-election Monday. Neither candidate has drawn an opponent yet.
The filing period for all elections will close 5 p.m. Wednesday. More information is available from the election board, 366-0210.
Meghan McCormick
366-3539
mmccormick@normantranscript.com
