MUNSON JOINS OKARCHE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
by Addison Themer

Okarche Public Schools has recently hired Lisa Munson as the new high school and junior high principal.

“She takes great pride in her work and that fits in with what we are all about here,” said superintendent Rob Friesen. “We are excited to have her.”

Munson completed her undergraduate at Oklahoma State University with a double major in home economics and community services and accounting.

She received her master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in education and secondary school administration.

“Lisa’s experience and professionalism made her stand out as an applicant,” said Friesen.

Munson spent the past nine years as the high school principal for the Miami school district.

She served one year prior to that as the assistant principal and taught three years as a computer science teacher.

Munson also taught at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton for four years.

Her career in education began at Del City High School as the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher.

Munson was brought to central Oklahoma when a job change for her husband landed him in Oklahoma City.

Leaving Miami for Okarche will “definitely be a change of pace,” said Munson.

“I am very excited about the community. I am impressed so far,” she said. “The facilities are great and I am excited for change.”

Munson appears to be making quite the impression herself.

“There is not a whole lot that can surprise her and she has already hit the ground running,” Friesen said. “She is a quality person and is one of those people that does things right.”

Munson said she cannot wait to meet more people in the Okarche community.

“It is all about building relationships,” she said. “I can’t wait to get to know the community, the staff and the students.”

“I think that she will do a great job and people will really enjoy working with her,” added Friesen.

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3 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Construction ongoing at Okarche, but (finally) nearly complete

One day after Okarche passed a $26.1 million bond issue in August 2016, Superintendent Rob Friesen said - “ideally” - all of the new construction allowed by that vote would be completed by the start of the 2018-19 school year.

• Optimism is always good.

  Unfortunately, the construction process hasn’t been ideal for Okarche.

  Fortunately, though, Friesen and the rest of Okarche can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

  For the third straight school year, construction is ongoing somewhere on an Okarche campus, but it’s almost finished.

  Among those projects is the crown jewel of the $20 million in new construction - the new gymnasium that sits next to the high school.

  Finishing touches are being put on the gym, which is all but assured to be ready to host the first game of the basketball season.

  “It’s been a long process,” admitted Friesen on a recent tour of the facility. “But hopefully everyone will feel it’s been worth it when we’re finally in it.”

  The high school season opener is Friday, Nov. 1, when Okarche hosts Preston.

  Also being finished up is the space for the music and drama programs, also known as the “black box.”

  It has a performance area, ample storage and two classrooms that can also double as dressing rooms come performance time.

  The brand-new elementary school opened to students during last school year.

  The bus barn there is being converted into a band room. Also, two additional classrooms at the building will give the school two classrooms for each grade there.

  Friesen said plans are for that construction to be finished by mid-September.