At the special September meeting, the Sand Springs Board of Education recognized employees and community partners for their outstanding achievements and accomplishments.
John Summar - Transportation
Assistant Director of Transportation John Summar received the Sandite Pacesetter Award. This year is already a busy one for Summar, who recently received his CDL Bus Driver Trainer certification to assist with training new drivers. He has also joined the Board Leadership Team for the Oklahoma Association of Pupil Transportation, and is training for additional certification from the organization.
Perhaps most impressively, Summar received national recognition in the August issue of School Transportation News. He was listed as one of the publication’s 2024 Garage Stars: Embracing New Technology.
Summar was nominated by Director of Transportation Erich Anderson. “I appreciate his hard work and dedication,” said Anderson, “to not only our Transportation staff but also the students and parents we serve.”
Angie Ashlock and Darryl Kemper - Enrollment Center
The board presented the Sandite Pacesetter Award to Angie Ashlock, Enrollment Specialist, and Darryl Kemper, Administrative Assistant for Enrollment and Special Services.
Ashlock and Kemper were recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty this summer when the Enrollment Center was short staffed. Summer is the busiest season for the Enrollment Center, and it is often the first impression many students and parents have of the district. These two outstanding Sandites served our community over the summer with grace, kindness, respect, and compassion.
The two were nominated by Carrie Schlehuber, Assistant Superintendent of Enrollment and Special Services. “They had a specific situation with a parent in need,” said Schlehuber, “who was emotionally and physically exhausted. They problem-solved to assist her in her greatest time of need… in a way to allow this parent the utmost dignity and respect throughout the situation.”
“I am fortunate to have both of these amazing ladies on my team,” continued Schlehuber, “and they are an asset to the entire district and community!”
Part-Time Summer Enrollment Team
The board also recognized the employees who helped the Enrollment Center part-time during the summer rush. Cathy Burdge, Tiffany Bristow, Shanna Spence, and Kim Medearis received the Sandite Pacesetter Award for assisting Enrollment during what would have been their well-deserved summer vacation.
Carrie Schlehuber nominated these employees as well. She stated that enrollment could not have functioned this summer without the dedicated service of Burdge, Bristow, Spence, and Medearis. “From transfer applications to OLR processing and everything in between, it is a complicated process,” said Schlehuber. “These ladies stepped in and learned systems and expectations easily… I am honored to work with each one of them.”
Faron Kelly - Angus Valley Elementary
Angus Valley Elementary has embraced the motto, “Together, we make it happen.” One member of the Angus community who consistently exemplifies that spirit of community service is Faron Kelly.
Kelly serves as a substitute teacher at the drop of a hat, builds friendships with students and staff, and has even been found weed eating, leaf blowing, and cleaning up the school grounds without being asked to do so.
Kelly was nominated for the Sandite Pacesetter Award by Angus Valley Elementary Principal Angela Hobson and Counselor Regan Burnett. In their nomination form, they state the following:
Mr. Faron, while we know that you may not want this formal recognition because of your silent spirit of serving others, we want you to know that you are our Angus family because you embody our motto: Together, we make it happen! Thank you from your Angus school family!
Congratulations to these outstanding Sandites! Thank you for your service to our students, families, and the community at large.