By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
Beth Schieber hopes to retain her seat on the Okarche Board of Education after she faces Ryan McIlvain, a local business owner, in the February election.
Schieber serves as clerk for the board this year but has been a long-time board member. She serves as an elected Regional Director for the Oklahoma State School Boards Association.
“I advocate and lobby for local control for school districts, small school districts, and the educational needs of school districts,” she said in a prepared statement. “I also advocate and lobby against consolidation of school districts. My position enables me to serve Okarche Schools and education on another level, networking with other school districts, superintendents, and school boards to make our students the priority in Oklahoma.”
Locally, her work on the board has given her insight into the needs and issues the district faces.
“As a board member, I believe I have an in-depth knowledge of my district and have established a working relationship with our superintendent, teachers, and administrators based on mutual respect, collegiality and a joint commitment to student success,” her statement reads.
A particular focus of her work with the board has included making Okarche a “state-of-the-art” school and she said that has included the addition of a new high school, grade school, performing arts center, and the technology and ag building.
Schieber’s work with the district includes volunteering in schools.
“I am a volunteer tutor in the elementary school and have been since 2013. For the past two years I tutor two full days a week,” she said in her statement.
She received the Distinguished Service Award for school board members and was selected for the Oklahoma All-State Board of Education.
“In addition, I have served as the local board contact for legislative action, served on the Oklahoma Public Schools Unemployment Compensation Account (OPSUCA) board of directors, and was a founding member and board of directors for the Oklahoma Schools Risk Management Trust (OSRMT),” her statement reads.
She has six grandchildren in Okarche schools.
