A familiar face will be the new Okarche High School principal next year.

The Okarche Board of Education last Monday approved the recommendation to hire G.W. Parham to move into the role.

The recommendation was made by Superintendent Josh Sumrall to promote the school’s counselor and assistant principal.

“I’ve worked with him for two years and he’s been a great counselor and assistant principal during that time,” Sumrall said.

“He does whatever is asked whenever needed and even steps up to handle things when he’s not asked. He’s a standup guy.”

Parham has been with Okarche Public Schools the entirety of his 17-year career.

He was hired in 2005 as the junior high and high school counselor and added the assistant principal’s role in 2012. He’s also taught U.S. History to Okarche sophomores during the entirety of his tenure.

“I am extremely excited to begin a new challenge here at Okarche. I know this is one of the premier jobs in the entire state,” Parham said.

“The community is extremely supportive, the teachers are fantastic and the students are second to none.”

Parham will take over for Lisa Munson, who is retiring at the end of this school year. She became the principal in August 2019.

Sumrall said Parham’s list of qualities were ideal.

“What he offers is the family atmosphere I want at the district,” Sumrall said. “He’s paid his dues and is the best person for the job.”

Parham said there was no hesitation when he was offered the job.

“When Mr. Sumrall approached me about the position I didn’t have to think twice,” he said. “We have a great working relationship with the same values and goals for the school and district.

“I couldn’t be more blessed to have this opportunity.”

Parham has worked with a number of administrators during his Okarche career. He said he’ll put that to use.

“I have had the privilege of working with some amazing administrators and teachers that have taught me many valuable lessons,” he said. “I am eager to apply those lessons in this role.”

Parham is a product of Lomega High School.

After graduating in 1997, he earned a bachelor’s in secondary education in social studies from Oklahoma State University in 2002.

Parham picked up a master’s degree in guidance counseling from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2004 and then a master’s in administration and educational leadership from Southern Nazarene University in in 2012.

During the Okarche board’s March meeting, resignations were accepted from the elementary counselor, a special education teacher and second grade teacher.

Those roles were also filled at last week’s meeting. The board hired Megan Henderson, currently a fourth grade teacher at the district, to take on the elementary counselor position.

Briley Peters will be a new special education teacher and Katie Schroeder will teach second grade.

Jenny Parham, currently an elementary aide, was hired to teach both math and business classes at the high school.

Sumrall updated the board on some current projects - or those soon to begin. He said renovations on the school’s band room had begun.

There was also a bid opening Thursday to build the new high school baseball and softball complex, which will be constructed north of the high school.