School board races take shape

By Meghan McCormick

December 04, 2008 01:12 am

— It will be a three-way race for school board seats in Norman and Moore Public Schools districts in February.
Election day for all school board races in Cleveland County will be Feb. 10. If nobody captures 50 percent plus 1 vote, a runoff election will be held April 7.
The Norman Public Schools Board of Education Office 4 seat will be decided among Kim Gaddie, 3801 Chamberlyne Way; Brooks Hull, 4905 Cypress Lake Drive, and Debra Stuart, 4610 Timberidge Circle.
NPS board president Ken McBride holds the seat but announced in October he would not seek another term.
Two candidates will challenge Moore Public Schools Board of Education Office 4 incumbent Debbie Venard, 11125 Lakeridge Run, Oklahoma City, for her seat.
Jon Painter, 2209 Alderham St., Oklahoma City, and Steve Adamo, 1404 SW 132nd, Oklahoma City, will run against Venard in February.
Dr. Max Venard, 58, 11125 Lakeridge Run, Oklahoma City, Moore Norman Technology Center Office 4 incumbent will serve a fourth term. He didn't draw an opponent.
Dr. Venard was elected to the MNTC board in 1994. He said he was pleased to get the chance to serve another term.
"I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to serve another term and I really think the board is a terrific board to be working with," Venard said. "I think this administration has done a fantastic job making this institution a place where people of all ages can learn and find the education to have a happy life."
Noble Public Schools Board of Education president Robin Stead, 107 SE 48th St., Noble, will face off against Ronnie Salee Jr., 401 N. 48th St., Noble, for the Office 4 seat.
Little Axe Public Schools Board of Education president David Gray, 15909 Oakside Drive, Newalla, will retain his seat for another term. Gray didn't draw an opponent.
Robin Hill Public School Board clerk Michael J. Walsh, 43, 6425 E. Tecumseh Road, and Lexington Public Schools Board of Education Office 4 incumbent Paul Garrett, 330 SE 5th Street, also will keep their board seats. Neither board member drew an opponent.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com