Thompson ready for school board role
Toby Thompson speaks at the Feb. 13 school board meeting at the Mustang Educational Resource Center. (Photos by Jacob Sturm)
By Jacob Sturm
Mustang’s board of education convened Monday evening with its newest member manning his new post.
Toby Thompson, the board’s newest member, assumed the position following the resignation of the previous Ward 3 representative on Jan. 17. With the seat vacated, Thompson remained the only candidate remaining in the upcoming April election for the seat and was appointed to the position Jan. 25.
So, what should people know about the newest addition to the Mustang Board of Education?
Thompson is a drilling fluid engineer for Stellar Drilling Fluids. He also owns Okie Storage Solutions LLC with a business partner. In the past, he has also spent a couple of years as a teacher and a coach at Putnam City West, which he expects to come in handy in the school board position.
“I’m motivated to give back to my community,” Thompson said. “Mustang has been home for me since 1981 aside from a brief stint in New Mexico.”
Mustang’s school board is not short on members dedicated to the district’s best interests. That won’t change with Thompson, who has multiple children currently in the MPS system.
“I have two daughters in Mustang public schools (8th grader and a Sophomore),” Thompson said. “They are the reason I decided to run. I graduated from Mustang High School and I would like to help ensure my daughters and all the students in our district receive the same spectacular education I received.”
Monday served as the first regularly scheduled board meeting since Thompson’s appointment.
He complimented the other board members for their help as he gets accustomed to the position.
“Everyone has been very welcoming and answered all my questions enthusiastically,” Thompson said. “I’m excited to work with the other board members and school leadership because I can tell they love Mustang and they care about the kids. That’s what it’s really about. The other board members and school leadership have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and made being the new guy easy.”
For residents in Mustang’s Ward 3, Thompson encourages them to reach out. He said he wants people to know that he will listen to concerns those he represents may have in the future.
“I’ll listen,” Thompson said. “We don’t have to agree (in order) to listen to each other and treat each other with respect.”
Thompson’s term in the seat will last five years, meaning it will be up for reelection again in 2028. One member’s term expires every year unless an unforeseen issue causes more to become available.
He indicated the focus of his term will be related to the anticipated growth of the school district.
“Mustang is growing exponentially and I’m looking forward to the challenges and victories that will come with that,” Thompson said. “It’s an exciting time to be a Bronco.”
