Dedicated to public education, school board members across the state are committed to providing every opportunity possible to students in their community. January is School Board Recognition Month, providing local schools and communities the chance to honor Oklahoma’s more than 2,500 elected school board members for their dedication and service.Tonkawa Public Schools currently has five school board members: Brian Bowling, Casey McAninch, Jerry Hook, Tyler Langston, and Melanie Bellinghausen.“Our school board members not only share their time but their vision and voice to shape the direction of Oklahoma public education,” Superintendent Lori Simpson said. “We are proud of our school board members and the dedication they have to making our district the best it can be. School Board Recognition Month is the time to say thank you and celebrate the accomplishments of our elected board members.”In Tonkawa, school board members develop policies and must make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues affecting the entire community. They bear the responsibility of managing an annual budget of over $9.6 million, 800 students, 100 employees and 8 buildings.“During School Board Recognition Month, we hope you will join us as we take the opportunity to acknowledge our local board of education,” Simpson said. “Throughout January we will be recognizing Bowling, McAninch, Hook, Langston, and Bellinghausen and their dedication to Tonkawa Public Schools.The men and women serving TPS and their years of service are Melanie Bellinghausen 1 year, Tyler Langston 2 years, Brian Bowling 3 years, Casey McAninch 5 years, and Jerry Hook 9 years.
