Senate committee advances more than two dozen education nominees; most confirmed by unanimous or near‑unanimous votes

The Oklahoma Senate Extended Education Committee on April 29 moved a large package of gubernatorial nominees forward to serve on education boards and commissions, approving most appointees by unanimous or near‑unanimous roll-call votes.

Chair (speaker 1) opened the meeting and said the committee would work through tier-one nominations and accommodate noncommittee guests. Senators presented nominees for positions that included the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the State Board of Education, the State Textbook Committee, regional university systems and multiple community-college regent and trustee posts. Each nominee addressed the committee and most received brief questioning before the clerk called the roll.

Votes at a glance: Joshua Howard, Oklahoma Lottery Commission — passed 11‑0 (presented by Senator Murdoch). Randall (Randy) Gilbert, State Board of Career and Technology Education — passed 11‑0 (Sen. Jett). David McKenzie, Regional University System of Oklahoma — passed 9‑2. John Wesley No Fire, State Board of Education — passed 11‑0 (Sen. Woods). Michael McElroy, Regional University System of Oklahoma — passed 10‑1 (Sen. Wingard). Brian Beller, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education — passed 11‑0. Christopher Franklin, Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A&M system — passed 11‑0. Daniel (Dan) Hamlin, Cabinet Secretary of Education — passed 11‑0. Michael Peck, Regional University System of Oklahoma — passed 10‑0. Michelle Reedus, State Textbook Committee — passed 10‑0. Tracy Richardson McVicker, State Textbook Committee — passed 10‑0. Natalie Frasier, University Center at Ponca City Board of Trustees — passed 10‑0. Amanda Meadows, State Textbook Committee — passed 10‑0. Gregory (Greg) Smith, Rose State College Board of Regents — passed 9‑0. Larry Hauck, OCCC Board of Regents — passed 11‑0. Tiffany Eustace, State Textbook Committee — passed 10‑0. Jimmy Groendyke, Northern Oklahoma College Board of Regents — passed 10‑0. David Hooton, Seminole State College Board of Regents — passed 10‑0. Hailey Coats, Seminole State College Board of Regents — passed 10‑0. Ted Cundiff, Oklahoma Student Loan Authority — passed 10‑0. Stephanie Pipkin, Eastern Oklahoma State College Board of Regents — passed 10‑0. Michelle Wagner, State Textbook Committee — passed 10‑0. Todd Sharp, Southeastern Oklahoma State University trustee — passed 10‑0. Mark Stone, State Textbook Committee — passed 9‑0. Dr. Dominique Damond Block Sr., Langston University boards — passed 9‑0. Rebecca Jimerson, Oklahoma Arts Council — passed 9‑0. Scott Parman, Oklahoma Arts Council — passed 9‑0. Krista Samples, Oklahoma Arts Council — passed 9‑0. Sarah Miller, State Textbook Committee — passed 8‑0. Eric Smith, Oklahoma State University‑Tulsa Board of Trustees (in absentia) — passed 9‑0. Crystal Williams, State Textbook Committee (in absentia) — passed 9‑0.

Several nominees used their remarks to emphasize local ties and program priorities. Brian Beller, the governor’s nominee to the State Regents, noted his background in K‑12 education and workforce development; Christopher Franklin and others discussed the role of regents in adapting higher education to workforce needs. Secretary nominee Daniel Hamlin told members he supported recent education policy and planned to work on smooth rollouts.

There were a few instances of substantive exchange. Senator Sarah Hicks asked State Board of Education nominee John Wesley No Fire whether the social studies standards that went out for public comment matched the version the board later voted on; No Fire described the process by which public comments are considered and said board changes were made but that he did not have the specific document comparisons at hand.

The committee concluded after handling the day’s executive nominations and adjourned. Most nominees were advanced to the next stage without extended debate; roll-call tallies are recorded in the committee minutes and reflected above.