November 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  Dr. Toure called meeting to order at 5:38 PM

Discussion:  Jake Thomas, Assistant Site Director, Health Career Center, called for a moment of silence followed by leading the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Thomas shared why he chose Metro Tech and recited the Mission Statement — "Metro Technology Centers prepare people for successful employment and life in a global society'

Discussion:  no public expression

Discussion:  Superintendent Collins gave his report: Dr. Miller’s Master Plan proposal has been sent to the board, and members are asked to review it and email any questions or feedback to Valerie by December 1. Holiday party invitations have been sent, and those who can attend should inform Valerie so she can add them to the RSVP list. Congratulations were given to Kasey Rainbolt and Janine Jones for being named Women of the Year, and to Jenny Pinkerton for being recognized as the March of Dimes Influencer and Nurse Educator of the Year. The report also noted that several attendees visited the Clara Luper National Sit-In dedication and strongly encouraged others to visit, especially at night. We recently had an excellent board retreat focused on alignment, and appreciation goes to all board members who participated. An email invitation will come out tomorrow for a completion celebration for veterinary assistant, phlebotomy, and pharmacy tech programs, which will be held Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the HCC auditorium. The board is reminded that the superintendent will not attend the December board meeting. Aaron and Terry, who contributed significantly to the Tribal Nations in Action program during American Heritage Month, are recognized and thanked. The sophomore showcase is tomorrow, with displays already set up upstairs for students. In addition, there was a NextGen award ceremony, and several individuals from Metro Tech were recognized; their names will be sent to the board.

Dr. Robyn Miller presented the accreditation report, highlighting the recent continuing accreditation visit conducted by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE) on October 21-23. This visit happens every five years to ensure quality in career and technical education programs. The process involved addressing seven standards designed to promote program and service quality, supported by content from standards leads. Forty-one examiners from other career techs and ODCTE staff participated, forming teams to evaluate the standards.

A virtual group interview involved 138 participants, including students, employees, and stakeholders, who joined via Zoom and were grouped into breakout rooms for discussions. Onsite, 311 employees were observed and interviewed as part of normal operations, with special accommodations for staff not typically at desks. The visit concluded with the examiners presenting their findings, which included 15 strengths, 10 opportunities for improvement, and notably, zero corrective actions. This demonstrates a strong accreditation outcome reflecting compliance with state standards aimed at maintaining quality technical education programs in Oklahoma.

 

Discussion: 

Mr. Michael Branch, Director of Aviation Campus introduced the Student Spotlight: Raquel Teal hall from DeLand, Florida, with roots in Coleman, Oklahoma. At Coleman High, she distinguished herself as a multisport athlete and an active 4-H member. Raquel’s early fascination with her grandfather’s helicopters laid the groundwork for her passion, but it was discovering a keepsake belonging to her father that ultimately inspired her pursuit of aviation. Since joining our program, Raquel has set the standard for excellence, consistently arriving on time with a positive attitude and a strong eagerness to learn. Her instructors praise her as a firm yet compassionate leader. Despite dedicating much time to supporting her classmates, she continues to maintain one of the highest GPAs in the school. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our student spotlight, Raquel Teal.

Ms. Teal shared her story. I want to start by giving a big shoutout to financial aid—without their support, I wouldn’t be here today. Any time I emailed them, they responded quickly and were always ready to help. Also, Mr. Branch deserves recognition—he greets us every morning with a warm welcome and is always ready to assist anyone who needs help, going above and beyond consistently. During my time at Metro Tech, especially in the general program, the hands-on learning was invaluable. It helped me understand the book work much better, which is crucial for us as aviation technicians. I also want to highlight all of our teachers. For example, Ed made every electricity lesson memorable by sharing stories that helped the concepts stick with us. Jeff was incredibly supportive when I started the general program; he welcomed me wholeheartedly and created a competitive learning environment that pushed me and my friends to excel. After completing the general test, I moved on to airframe with Mr. Mason, who is very hands-on and constantly motivated me to improve. Naturally, I grew into a leadership role. Balancing two to three jobs since I was 16 has kept me dedicated to this program, and I’m committed to finishing strong. Currently, I’m preparing for my oral and practical exams with Mr. Sloan for the airframe portion, and I’m excited about the upcoming Power Plant course with Mr. Claussen and Mr. Funk. After graduating from Metro Tech, I hope to work commercially or with the FAA and eventually earn my Inspection Authorization (IA).

Dr. Toure said, "I admire your dedication and the thoughtful recognition you’ve given to the teachers who have positively influenced your journey. Every educator aims to inspire students, foster growth, and promote meaningful understanding. I wish you continued success as you graduate—your determination and ability to balance multiple responsibilities will serve you well in all your future endeavors."

Ms. Campos said, "Thank you for taking the time to share with us this evening. We always appreciate hearing directly from students like you. Your reflection on how teachers helped you grasp concepts through stories and creative techniques was inspiring—those individualized approaches clearly made an impact. We are proud of your progress and confident in your future success. Please stay in touch and share your accomplishments after graduation. Continue to shine and set a positive example for others."

Ms. Jones stated, "Your journey—from working with helicopters to managing financial aid and greeting others at the door—reflects the true spirit of Metro Tech. Congratulations on all you have accomplished thus far, and best wishes for continued success in your career."

Mr. Ortiz said, "Your determination to manage multiple jobs while pursuing your goals is truly commendable. I deeply admire your dedication and perseverance. Thank you once again for joining us."

Mr. Michael Branch introduced the Employee Spotlight. Steve Sloan is our evening Powerplant instructor and has been with Metro Tech as long as I have. He originally transitioned here from South Bryant and has been a key part of the aviation campus ever since. Although Steve likes to play the role of a gruff, old-timer, anyone who interacts with him knows he’s really a gentle and caring person, especially in the way he supports his students. Recently, Steve received the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, named after the Wright brothers' mechanic, recognizing his excellence in aircraft maintenance integration. We're fortunate to have someone so skilled and dedicated on our team, always ready to step in when needed. 

Mr. Steve Sloan shared his story. Mr. Sloan, as you come this way, remind me how many years you’ve actually been at Metro Tech. We’ll give you five to ten minutes, and we’re going to suspend the usual rules because this is a five-year plan. Honestly, I’m still a bit overwhelmed by it. The gentleman who presented it is a very good friend of mine—we became friends around the same time. When Alvin told me about him, he said, "We have a guy coming from the FAA." Usually, when the FAA is involved, it’s not always good news, but this guy is different. People say we’re like two peas in a pod when they see us together. My journey started long before this, when I was just a little boy working on a farm with my dad. We raised crops, hogs, cattle—you name it. Sleeping in on Saturday afternoons and watching cartoons wasn’t really part of life at our house. My brother and I had a couple of ponies, but it was all about hard work and responsibility from an early age. That curiosity from my childhood shaped how I’d react to opportunities—like back in 1975, when I joined the Army and started working on helicopters. The recruiter took one look at me and suggested military police; I politely declined. He then proposed helicopters, which sounded intriguing, launching my aviation career right there in the Army. After three years of service, I moved to Tulsa, attended Spartan School, earned my A&P license, and landed a job in Norman with a general aviation outfit—that’s where it really took off. Even as a boy, I’d been captivated by my cousin’s airplane, so I dove into every task, from this to that, though I nearly starved before joining NAR in 1988.

Ms. Campos thanked him for sharing his story and for his service. She applauded his courage and contribution.
Dr. Toure quoted him enthusiastically: "You got it done!" She expressed deep appreciation for him and the entire team.
 

Discussion:  Mr. Bruce Campbell, District Treasurer, presented an update on the financial status of Metro Technology Centers (MTC).

Discussion:  Dr. Toure provided her report on the Policy Committee, which recently convened to review proposed policies. These policies are now included in tonight’s agenda for your consideration. We kindly request your approval to formally adopt these policies as part of our ongoing commitment to effective governance and continuous improvement.

Ms. Campos provided her report regarding the Communications Committee that met on November 13th for a thorough and highly productive session. We reviewed the annual report, discussed key information, and addressed a few additional items now included in tonight's agenda—highlighting strong overall reporting, insightful questions, and valuable feedback from all participants to enhance district-wide communication.? Everything is progressing excellently, as reflected in the agenda details. Thank you for that acknowledgment.

Once more, congratulations to everyone recognized earlier. I've been thrilled to see the widespread celebrations of Native American Heritage Month on social media and throughout our community—we truly appreciate your ongoing efforts. Your collective dedication across all boards and initiatives makes an extraordinary impact, ensuring our students' stories and achievements shine brightly.?

 

Discussion:  Dr. Toure commented on the board reports, saying, "Your preparation is always very thorough, and the reports are extremely informative. I truly appreciate the effort you put into them. There’s no doubt in my mind—if we read your reports, we can’t say we don’t know what’s going on at Metro Tech."

Ms. Campos commented on the board reports, saying, "Along with everything that’s already been mentioned, the reports look great—the visuals and overall presentation are excellent. If we ever want to make any changes, I know you’re always quick to incorporate feedback and make the necessary adjustments. We’re also open to finding ways to make them even more efficient and effective. Every report continues to improve, so thank you."

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 6:25 pm