Standridge, Dean head to school board general election

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

The general election is set for the Mid-Del Board of Education race.

Gina Standridge and Lynette Dean advanced to the general election for Office No. 3 after finishing one and two in last week’s primary.

Standridge topped the field with 301 votes or 49.02%. She narrowly missed eclipsing the 50% threshold to win the seat outright and avoid a general election.

Dean was close behind with 264 votes or 43%. Daniel Shaffer received 44 votes (7.98%), according to online election totals.

Standridge is a retired educator and lifelong Del City resident. She taught for 32 years, primarily as a special education teacher at Del City High School. She retired in May and has continued to stay involved in school activities including as a member of the Kalsu Legacy Project to add a statue of Robert Kalsu to the school’s football field.

Dean works for Meadowbrook Oil Corporation, overseeing compliance with legal land issues and federal regulations. She has been active in the PTA at Kerr Middle School (now Del City Middle School) and other schools in the district. She is a volunteer at church and helps with the Del City Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and neighborhood cleanup projects.

The close primary election came as no surprise to the candidates due to their strong ties to the community.

Standridge said oneof the biggest issues is communication with the school district. She said people want their voices and concerns to be heard by school officials, and information about upcoming events. Standridge said residents are also concerned about the future of public education.

“Many people discussed current educational issues such as vouchers, funding for public schools, school safety, and curriculum that is taught in schools today,” she said. “Our community is concerned about the direction education is heading. I talked to several people as I campaigned through the neighborhoods and the active community members do care about the future of education.”

Standridge says she’ll continue reaching out to the community before the general election.

“I believe that I am the better candidate because I have first-hand knowledge of educational issues and what is going on inside schools today, and I can best represent the needs and wants of students, parents, and teachers today,” she said. “In addition to my educational background of over 30 years, I also have experience in the field of business – in banking, finance, and insurance which gives me knowledge from the business and educational industry.”

Dean said she is an average citizen who cares abundantly about students, teachers, and schools in Del City. She plans to continue meeting with voters face-to-face to better understand their concerns and desires for the schools and share her background.

“I am a Del City parent who is concerned about the direction of education in America,” she said. “I have always been an advocate and volunteer for teachers and students; and assisting administrations with improvements to the schools.”

Dean said her background in business and her passion for public education make her a good fit for the school board.

“I would bring a fresh perspective with a strong skill set of financial and business experience.  All voters need to understand what is at stake,” she said. “We have to improve the methods to be the best stewards of the district’s funds which will provide more educational opportunities.”

The general election is set for April 4.

Office No. 3 includes much of Del City and the southeast portion of the district.

Jimmie Nolen has represented the district for 23 years. She announced last year that she was not seeking reelection.