Three candidates, Nocona Cook (Incumbent), Dale Selman, and Randi Hunter are on the ballot for the expiring term of Seat 5 on the Cordell Board of Education.
Three candidates, Nocona Cook (Incumbent), Dale Selman, and Randi Hunter are on the ballot for the expiring term of Seat 5 on the Cordell Board of Education. The Primary Election will be held on February 11th. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, that candidate will be named the elected official. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will vie for the seat during the Board of Education General Election on April 1st.
The Beacon asked each of these candidates to tell a little about themselves and discuss a series of topics related to issues facing Cordell School.
Nocona Cook
My name is Nocona Cook and I currently hold the seat five position on the Cordell Board of Education. I live on my family’s farm East of Cordell, near the community of Cloud Chief with my Wife, Jordan, and two sons where I farm and ranch for a living. I am the sixth generation to live on this farm where my family has been for nearly 110 years. I have two sons that are currently enrolled in Cordell public schools. Denton is 12 and in the sixth grade and Baylor is six and is in kindergarten. I am a 2004 graduate of Cordell high school and a 2009 graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelors degree in business management. My family has a deep connection with Cordell public schools. My father, my aunt, all three of my sisters, and one of my brother-in-law’s are all Cordell high school graduates. My hobbies include spending time with my family, being a volunteer fire chief, hunting, and hauling my kids all across the country showing cattle.
Motivation and goals
I am currently on the board and I am running for re-election because I believe in Cordell public schools and I believe in public education. My goal is to continue being a voice for Cordell public schools not only on the local level but also a state level. Another one of my goals is to successfully pass a bond issue that will help improve the facilities on the campus to better the learning environment for our students. I will continue to fight for our students, our staff, and our community to make the best learning environment possible.
Teacher retention
Teacher retention is an issue for every school district in the state and it’s also an issue all across the country. With a nationwide teacher shortage, schools are doing everything they can to recruit teachers so we have to do everything we can to keep them. A few of the things we are doing to retain teachers are making sure all the classrooms have the supplies needed for a positive learning environment and making sure all of the students have their school supplies paid for. We have implemented a free lunch program for all of the teachers as well offering as much professional development as possible at no expense to the teachers to try to help them excel in their profession. We are also making sure any open position is filled as soon as possible to take some of the burden off of the other teachers. We also offer a Christmas bonus to all staff to help with holiday expenses. As with any business, if you have the best employees you take the risk of losing the best employees because someone is always trying to recruit them away from you. I have always considered employees at Cordell public schools as the best in the state.
Community Engagement/ transparency and communication
I have always encouraged community engagement In everything I’ve done since I’ve been on the school board. No matter how big or how small the issue is I will always answer my phone and talk to anybody and answer any questions that they have about the school or what’s going on in the board room. We have open board meetings every month that we encourage the community members to attend so they will know what’s going on inside the school. At these meetings, the board has open discussion about all of the decisions being made inside the school, and we encourage all community members to attend. We are currently working on a new bond proposal for improvements at the school and we were having open meetings to get all the communities involvement as we possibly can. If there is anything going on at the school that someone wants more information about, please do not hesitate to contact the school office, the superintendent, or a board member to answer your questions. We cannot answer questions that are not asked.
Teacher and staff morale
As a board member, I feel it is very important to make sure the teachers and staff in the school know that they are supported by the board. The board and the administration make sure to take into consideration, teachers and staff concerns and opinions on what they think is best for the students when decisions are made. Feedback and concerns are discussed before we move forward with a decision. I believe when people’s voices are heard, it improves morale.
Improving student achievement
Teachers, staff, administration, and the school board are always looking for new ways to improve student achievement. One major way we are improving student achievement is through in NWEA testing. The NWEA test is a benchmark test that allows us to gather data and information on where a student is and where we need to focus attention to improve the students achievement. We have added concurrent enrollment for juniors and seniors at Cordell Schools so students can get college credits while they are still in high school. Thrive has also been implemented to give our students more options. Thrive is an online/in person hybrid that allows kids to still be a part of Cordell Schools and participate in extracurricular activities, as well as gives them the flexibility of online schooling for different circumstances. We have also incorporated in RTI and genius hour into the schedule to give the kids a chance to catch up on work that they were behind on at school instead of having so much homework. The genius hour also gives high school teachers a chance to step away from their normal subject to teach an hour of something of their choice that they are interested in. According to Western technology centers enrollment records, Cordell has the highest number of students attending Votech, which is helping with higher student achievement and is preparing them for life after high school.
Lessons learned
I have been on the school board for almost six years now, and have learned some very valuable lessons in my time there. I have been to countless hours of training and classes to further my knowledge on the workings of the school board and how the school should be operated. One of the biggest lessons I have learned and one of the biggest misconceptions about the school board are the actual roles and responsibilities of a school board member. A school board members main jobs are hiring the superintendent and setting policy for the school district. As a board member, I am always open to discussion with community members and anyone in the school to answer any questions, but we are not a part of the day-to-day operations of the school and we do not directly oversee any employees of the district, other than the superintendent. The teachers report the the principals, the principals report to the superintendent, and the superintendent reports to the school board.
Closing Statement
As a lifelong resident of Cordell and a product of Cordell public schools, there is nothing I want more than Cordell Schools to thrive and the community to do great things. I have spent most of my adult life serving on boards and committees, trying to help improve the lives and the opportunities for not only my own children, but for everyone else’s as well. I currently serve on the Cordell School Board, the Cordell First United Methodist Church Council, I am the Vice President of the Washita County Farm Bureau, and I am the Fire Chief at the Cloud Chief Fire Department. I was the President of the Washita County Fire Chiefs Association from 2010-2021 and was the Chairman of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee in 2019. One of the biggest achievements of my leadership career was being appointed by Governor Stitt, to serve on the Oklahoma Department of Agricultures State board. I was appointed to this board in 2021 and I am set to be reappointed in April of 2025. On this board, I work with the Secretary of Agricultural and other board members to oversee and enforce all rules and regulations involving the states largest industry, Agriculture.
As you can see, I have spent a tremendous amount of time and effort trying to be a voice and make changes to better the lives of as many people as I possibly can. I believe that my experience in leadership roles makes me a great candidate to continue my role as a Cordell School Board member. My children’s future depends heavily on the success of Cordell Public Schools. I would greatly appreciate your vote on February 11. Thank you.
Dale Selman
My name is Dale Selman, husband of Amy Selman for 24 years. I’m the proud father of Madison, Logan, Tugger, and Grayson Selman. I’m a founding partner of Helios Pumps and Trident Capillary, two Cordell based oilfield manufacturing & service companies. My family loves to travel anywhere there’s adventure waiting, from snow skiing, rafting, hiking, boating, biking, etc. I race cross country motorcycles & volunteer for my race club OCCRA. Three of my children have been through Cordell Schools since kindergarten. All were active in sports, AG, academic team, and most extracurricular programs we’ve been a part of at one point since 2003. My company employs several Cordell alumni, and/or they have children in the Cordell School system. I feel like the future of our company’s ability to maintain a skilled and competent workforce depends on the quality of education Cordell is providing.
Motivation and Goals
First, I regret stepping down from the school board. I feel a level of responsibility for the position we’re in, due to my absence. For that, I apologize. That’s partially my motivation for candidacy. I served two terms on the school board from 2012-2021. CV19, the loss of some veteran coaches, a lawsuit, and several other factors including a rapid expansion of our business made me decide I needed resign.
Both of my boys had at one point or another informed me that my service to the school board had ways of complicating their high school experience, so I decided to save Gracie the trouble. Really, it’s the perspective I’ve gained being off the school board that I feel will help this next term if elected. I was appointed, and never had an opponent in my terms. I believe there’s a loyalty one gives to the appointing board and superintendent in these instances. I’m not opposed to appointments, this is just my opinion.
Having to file for candidacy, campaign, and go have real discussions with members of the community to earn votes, to be elected, shifts that loyalty to the community IMO. I believe that’s the benefit I’ll bring if elected, to listen to the people of our community.
Qualifications
Aside from my current experience on the Cordell School board, I’m the chairman of two companies with a total of 35 employees. Our companies manage budgets exceeding those of the Cordell school system. I have overseen numerous construction projects, while staying on budget, so I feel I understand the true cost of comparable projects we have in our potential scope of work with the current bond issue under discussion.
I’ve spent 22 years in management, overseeing numerous multi million dollar projects and managing thousands of personalities. My experience has led me to a belief I try and instill in everything I’m a part of. “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” (borrowed) I think the problems we face can’t be strategized out of, we need a culture shift. A shift to feeling and acting like the winners we can be. I’ve lived it, not too long ago, here in Cordell. Let’s get back to that
Teacher Retention
Teacher retention can be solved with a culture shift. Several of the teachers I know left so their kids could have the opportunity to win. Start winning, retain teachers. The others I’ve talked to are frustrated because they aren’t being heard, or they are silenced from intimidation. I will provide an open door for teachers to sound their concerns, and will act on their concerns while maintaining anonymity.
State Report Card
I can’t speak on a specific reason for the decline in state report card, but one could assume it’s reflective of the years of lost teaching experience in our classrooms. I also suspect the decline in numbers of athletes, which go lock step with academic achievement. It’s a competitive position kids take when they engage is high standards of academics, just like athletics. Change the culture. Make kids believe, Feel smart, act smart, be smart.
Teacher Support
It starts by hearing them. Teachers need constant support. That’s administrators main function. Change the culture. Give teachers a learning environment they feel safe making suggestions, and the flexibility to experiment with curriculum and make decisions based on personal experience and optimum performance.
Student Achievement
My plan to address student achievement is to raise the level of expectations. I’ve heard far too many times that would should accept mediocrity, and that lowering standards will lead to higher success student body, which is obviously false.
I think this is a de-motivating practice, because I believe high achievers hate mediocres, and mediocres hate high achievers. Ultimately, the lesser demanding will prevail and the new high achievers will consist of mediocres. This perpetual decline eventually leads to the high achievers becoming “poor” by comparison. Holding kids to high standards requires much more work, love for the student, and love for the job. The result outweighs the effort 100%
Community Engagement
Again, this is achieved by simply listening. A well functioning school board remains open minded, and refuses to categorize teachers, parents, nor community for their input. I pride myself as being a member of the community. You’ll find me at basketball games, local eateries, my office is 1/4 mile from the school, and my mobile phone number is posted on most of our advertisements. I have Facebook, and email. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching me, talk to my sweet wife. She’ll get the word home, I assure you.
Student Preparation
My personal belief is college educated careers will remain flat, while trade careers will increase in demand exponentially over the next decade. The young population of Cordell should be directed to a free services provided by Western Tech to learn these trade careers and get a head start in life without the financial undertaking of college. I believe kids learn more by doing, than seeing done. I believe some of our lost studies such as woodshop, auto repair, and art have let many talents remain unknown to kids that have these natural talents. These creative talents are known to produce some of the greatest contributions in human history. For kids that are seeking higher education, I advocate FCCLA, BPA, student council, athletics and other leadership building courses to best prepare students, and give them the confidence they’ll need for their college environment.
Addressing Concerns
I feel like addressing concerns is part of the job. While not all concerns tend to get addressed equally, it’s my job to decipher legitimate concerns and address them as necessary.
Leadership and Collaboration
I feel like I’d be a good board member, and would collaborate with the board and administration the way I handle myself in business. I’m a listener, and a thinker. I seldom jump to conclusion based on a single event, or the opinion of others. One positive trait I’ve developed is to refrain from sharing my thoughts until I know all the facts, and have taken some time to consider possible pitfalls from making impulse decisions.
Closing statement
Cordell has been very good to myself, my family, and my business. We’re blessed to live in such a great community of people. I’m fortunate to have many friends, family, and loved ones that support my call to serve on the Board of Education. I appreciate your support, and humbly request your vote.
Randi Hunter
I’m Randi Hunter. I volunteer at Cordell EMS and my husband and I run a manufacturing company. I am also the treasurer for the Cordell Academic Foundation and the LEPC. We have two amazing daughters—one’s in elementary school and the other’s a junior high student. I grew up in a small town in southwest Nebraska and moved to Cordell in 2006. When I’m not working or chasing after my kids’ activities, I enjoy volunteering in the community whenever I can.
Motivation and Goals
Why am I running for the Board of Education? Simple. I want to bring back the pride and joy of sending our kids to Cordell schools. I want our schools to be the kind of place where teachers are excited to teach, students thrive, and parents feel confident about their children’s education. Let’s bring this back to Cordell! Qualifications In my job, I meet and listen to all kinds of people. I know how to hear the details and find solutions. Plus, running a business with my husband taught me the ins and outs of managing things behind the scenes. I was involved in tons of extracurricular activities growing up, so I know firsthand the value of those experiences alongside academics.
Teacher Retention
Teachers need a safe space to voice their concerns, and I would like to help offer that. I’ll be all ears for our teachers, ensuring their issues are heard and acted upon by the board. Happy teachers mean happy students, and we want our educators to feel valued and appreciated so they stick around and help our kids succeed.
State Report Card
The decline in our district’s report card starts with the loss of experienced teachers. With the teacher shortage, we’ve had to replace them with newcomers who might not always be certified in their teaching fields. Creating a healthy environment where teachers feel supported is crucial. Let’s start by listening and addressing their needs to build a stronger foundation.
Support for Teachers
I want to bridge the gap between teachers, the board, and the community. Being approachable and responsive to teachers’ concerns is my priority. Together with the board, we’ll work on making their professional lives as smooth as possible so they can focus on what they do best—teaching.
Student Achievement
Quality education starts with hiring certified teachers in the right fields. If we want our kids to excel, we need to give them the right tools and educators to do so. Let’s invest in our teachers to ensure every student gets the best shot at success.
Community Engagement
I’m all about meeting people where they are and listening to their concerns. Whether it’s parents, teachers, or community members, I’ll ensure their voices are heard. I also want to create opportunities for positive feedback about our schools. Let’s build a bridge between the board and the public, so everyone feels their input matters.
Preparing Students for the Future
Cordell schools are already doing some great things, like the Thrive program and partnerships with WTC, to prepare students for life after graduation. I’d like to expand on this by adding more support for at-risk youth and mental health programs. Let’s prepare our kids for all walks of life— whether it’s college, the workforce, or just navigating adulthood.
Addressing Concerns
I’m all about being approachable and open. When parents or community members raise concerns, I’ll look into them and work on finding the best solutions. Research and good policies go a long way in resolving issues and ensuring everyone feels heard.
Leadership and Collaboration
Communication is key. I’ll work closely with fellow board members, administrators, and staff to create a positive, productive environment. It’s all about implementing what we learn and keeping the dialogue open and flowing.
Closing Statement
I’m passionate about this community and our schools. I understand that I may learn new perspectives along the way, but I’m committed to keeping an open mind and heart. I’ll pour my energy into making Cordell a place we can all be proud of again. Go Blue Devils!