Sand Springs board honors student achievements, recognizes Superintendent Durkee and says goodbye to longtime member

The Sand Springs Board of Education opened its March 2025 meeting with student and staff recognitions: a Charles Page High School student was honored for stage and film awards; middle school students were celebrated for a volunteer project; a staff member received a Sandite Pacesetter award; Superintendent Sherry Durkee received state and national honors; and the board observed Jackie Wagner's final meeting after years of service.

Jonathan, a Charles Page High School student, was recognized for winning state-level awards that qualify him for international competition and for earning a $500 scholarship at the State Thespian Festival. During the meeting Jonathan told the board, "The plan for next year is to go to the University of New Mexico for film. Originally, I was going to stay here in Oklahoma and become an engineer. But I got offered an amazing scholarship to New Mexico, and I'm gonna be majoring in film and digital arts there." The board noted Jonathan will perform with other state winners at Lincoln Center in New York in April and that his award included travel to nationals.

Board members also presented Spirit Awards to middle school students Landon Fitzgerald, Carl Legg and Denver Taylor for 3D-printing flowers and distributing them to middle school girls for Valentine’s Day. Principal Noel described the students' project as "a beautiful reminder of how important it is to spread joy and make everybody feel special." The students told the board they used their own time and money to create the items.

Haley Flores received the Sandite Pacesetter award after being nominated for her response during an incident in which a Page Academy student fainted; board remarks credited her emergency response training and calm delegation to staff and nurses.

The meeting included a public recognition of Superintendent Sherry Durkee, who the board said had recently received multiple honors: Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, regional superintendent awards from OASA and an Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence award for elementary and secondary administration. Board members praised Durkee’s leadership and presented a commemorative coin saying "think right, challenge minds, inspire hearts." Durkee responded that she was humbled and not expecting the tribute.

The board also marked the final meeting for long-serving board member Jackie Wagner. Board members thanked Wagner for years of service (the board noted Wagner’s service since 2011) and invited family members to attend photos taken by the board.

Ending

Board remarks emphasized that the awards and recognitions reflect district priorities on student opportunity and staff leadership; several speakers tied visible student achievements and statewide recognition of staff back to the district’s mission of keeping students at the center of decisions.