More than 100 members and guests heard from school leaders Thursday during the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce’s “Biz-Connect Lunch” hosted at Chisholm Trail Technology Center.

Featured speakers at the event were CTTC Superintendent Kurt Thomas and Kingfisher Public Schools Superintendent David Glover.

David Blair, president of the Kingfisher Educational Foundation, also provided a presentation detailing how the foundation grants funds to purchase technology and equipment to enhance the learning experience of Kingfisher school children.

Introductions were made by Chamber Board President Jaylene Jackson, board member Heath Redwine and Executive Director Shauna Rupp.

Thomas said CTTC currently has 180 high school students enrolled from Kingfisher, Watonga, Lomega, Dover and Thomas-Fay-Custer public schools, and also has 20 to 30 adult students and approximately 2,000 enrollments in short-term business and industry training classes.

He introduced four Kingfi sher High School students who told of their positive experiences and expectations at the technology center.

He said a new building will be completed in August 2025 to house an electrical training program and will also provide expansion for other programs.

Thomas said there are over 10,000 students across the state currently on waiting lists with technology centers, because well-paying jobs in many fields that don’t require a university degree are in high demand and that demand continues to grow each year.

He said area employers come to them on a regular basis with training needs that CTTC implements customized programs to satisfy.

Glover said his goal was to make Kingfisher Public Schools the model public school for the state.

“There’s been some negative publicity about our school lately that you all have heard I’m sure, but I’m here to tell you that there are many, many good and positive things happening at Kingfisher Public Schools,” he said, referencing the ongoing civil lawsuit against the school district and two current and two former coaches.

“Financially, we are in good shape,” Glover continued.

“We are finishing up the first of four phases in remodeling Gilmour Elementary School. We have added new facilities for town kids to keep their show hogs and goats that don’t have such space at their homes.

“And yes, we’ve also enhanced our athletic facilities with locker rooms for soccer and junior high teams and visiting teams, as well as artificial turf on the football/soccer and softball fields,” he said.

He said Kingfisher would host two OSSAA semifi nal football games over Thanksgiving weekend, which will bring fans from four schools to Kingfisher’s convenience stores, restaurants and retail stores, which is a direct economic benefit to the community.

Glover ended by inviting all interested persons to visit him at the administration office to hear and see the good things that are happening at Kingfisher Public Schools.

“I tell our teachers to go into their classrooms and hallways and be the best they can be every day. Our kids deserve nothing less,” he said in conclusion.

“I tell them I am the only person that is assigned to handle all the outside noise. That’s my job.”