Hime Named Executive Director of OSSBA
Oklahoma City, OK -- The Oklahoma State School Board Association is announcing Shawn Hime as its next Executive Director. Hime, current superintendent of Enid Public Schools, will assume his new role in mid-spring.
Willa Jo Fowler, OSSBA President, led the regional search for the new executive officer. The organization’s 32-member board approved Hime’s selection this week.
“Mr. Hime has provided tremendous leadership to Enid Public Schools over the last six years, and now his efforts will benefit schoolchildren across the state,” Fowler said. “His knowledge of state and school finance is unparalleled, and he understands how decisions at the State Capitol impact children in the classroom. He is respected by parents, educators, administrators, school board members, business leaders, legislators and more. His leadership is needed at this pivotal and critical time in Oklahoma school history.”
OSSBA is a state-wide organization that promotes quality public education for Oklahoma children through training and information services to school board members. The association is a leader in Oklahoma education and a visible presence in local school districts and throughout the state. Hime will succeed the late Dr. Jeff Mills, who passed away last fall.
Hime expressed appreciation for the support the Enid community has demonstrated, not only for the district, but for him and his family.
“Serving the students of Enid Public Schools has been an honor and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. They deserve the best education in the nation; in fact, all Oklahoma children do,” Hime said. “I am excited to begin this new journey, where I can help make a difference for every young learner in our state. Locally elected school board members play a critical role in the quality of public education and – along with parents and educators – understand what is best for children in their communities. I look forward to working with them to ensure they have the resources, services and representation they need to ensure all decisions – at the local- and state-level – are made in the best interest of students.”
Hime joined the EPS team as superintendent in 2008, having previously served as a teacher and building- and district-level administrator for Ardmore Public Schools, as well as other districts. Hime is a former Oklahoma State Department of Education assistant state superintendent, where his responsibilities included the management of the state aid, school financial accounting, school personnel records, transportation, transfers and capital improvement. In addition, he collaborated with state legislators on pending legislation and its impact on public schools.
Hime has received numerous state-wide awards, including District 3 Superintendent of Year from the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators and Administrator of the Year from the Oklahoma School Public Relations Association.
Under Hime’s leadership, EPS has made significant growth in the areas of academic success and facility quality. Hime oversaw the planning and implementation for more than $99 million worth of building improvements, including the construction of two new elementary schools. Working with community partners, Hime also helped secure more than $5 million in private donations for district initiatives.
The district recently opened one of only two University Centers in the state, offering college and Advanced Placement courses on the Enid High School campus at little to no cost to students. The district has also expanded all pre-kindergarten classes to full-day programs. Additionally, the district has grown by more than 1,400 students during his tenure, totaling 7,850 for 2013-14.
“Mr. Hime has transformed education for our students and for our community, and there are not words to say thank you enough,” Jenny Webster, Enid Board of Education president, said. “Enid is an education leader, and we are setting and exceeding the pace for others in the state. We are making strides in the classroom, we are working to recruit and retain the best teachers, and our students now attend schools in safe and first-class buildings. Thousands of students have benefited from Mr. Hime’s leadership and innovation. It is momentum that we will build on in the future. The tradition of excellence will continue.”
Webster said the Board of Education will discuss the district’s superintendent search at its upcoming regular meeting, January 20.
For more information about OSSBA: www.ossba.org
For more information about Enid Public Schools: www.enidpublicschools.org.
