Leadership Team

 

Biography

Dr. Jarod Mendenhall has served as the Superintendent of Muskogee Public Schools since July 1, 2018.  He has been in the field of education for over thirty years, with experience as a classroom teacher, coach, principal, central office administrator and superintendent.  

In the three years at Muskogee, Dr. Mendenhall has led the district through a comprehensive five-year strategic plan, passed the largest bond referendum ($110 million) in the district’s history and had three different schools receive the National School of Character Award.   

Prior to his service in Muskogee, he was the Chief of Governmental Affairs in Mesquite, Texas where he served as the district’s liaison for the local, state, and federal governments. He helped lead the district through a strategic planning process, assisted with policy development, and helped design a new accrediting process.

Before his time in Texas, Dr. Mendenhall served as the Superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools. During his tenure, he led the district through a five-year strategic planning process, oversaw the district’s largest bond referendum ($370 million), opened eight new schools, and managed student growth rate of four percent annually.

Dr. Mendenhall received his high school diploma from Enid High School in 1986. He later earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Northeastern State University in 1991 and a Master’s Degree in Public School Administration in 1997.  Dr. Mendenhall later received his Doctorate Degree in 2010 from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he was named the Most Outstanding Doctoral Student in 2011.

Dr. Mendenhall has received awards and recognitions throughout his career.  In 2017, he received the National Superintendent Certification through AASA and was named the Man of Distinction by the Tulsa Business & Legal News in 2015.  Dr. Mendenhall has been awarded the District 5 Superintendent of the Year in 2014 and named “Superintendent of the Year” for Rachel’s Challenge in 2012.

Biography

Dr. Kim J. Dyce believes that “every child deserves a champion” (Rita Pierson, 2013).

In 1990, Dr. Dyce began her teaching career in Rochester, New York. While teaching in the Rochester City School District, she had the opportunity to work in various school environments and where she taught grades 6th – 12th. During this time, she fell in love with education and chose to pursue an administrative position.  Then in 1991, she graduated from the University of Rochester with a Master’s in Education. She later pursued her second Master’s in Educational Administration.

In 1996, Dr. Dyce began her administrative career as a House Administrator. Over a seven-year period, she moved up in her district to become the principal of Benjamin Franklin Educational Campus. During that time, she led the implementation of three small learning communities and a Montessori elementary school.  In 1998, she returned to the University of Rochester to pursue her doctorate in education, completing it in 2005. 

Over a 20-year period in the Rochester City School District, Dr. Dyce worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and Chief of Staff. During her tenure, she was viewed as a leadership and change agent that supported the academic success of every child. She always worked diligently to ensure that all students had equal access and opportunity to a quality educational experience.

In 2013, Dr. Dyce moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to serve as Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Tulsa Public Schools. There she and her team effectively developed a strategic plan to address the declining graduation rate and student suspensions which resulted in an 8% reduction in suspensions and a 17% decrease in missed school days in 2016.  

Dr. Dyce served as Managing Director: Collective Leadership, Teach For America in Oklahoma City.   In her role, Kim was charged with setting the direction for corps member placements, alumni affairs, and school leadership towards a cohesive, coherent, and impactful school turnaround initiative.

In 2017, Dr. Kim J. Dyce started her role in Muskogee Public Schools as the Executive Director for Teaching and Learning. She currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent.

Biography

Lance Crawley joined Muskogee Public Schools and the Superintendent's Leadership Team in June 2019.

Crawley most recently served as a building principal for Broken Arrow Public Schools. 

With 27 years of experience in Oklahoma Public Schools, Crawley has spent the last 16 years of his career as an administrator.

He began his career in education as a High School English Instructor in 1992 working in the Broken Arrow, Berryhill, and Fort Gibson school districts. In 2003, Crawley joined Coweta Public Schools as an Assistant High School Principal before being named Curriculum Director at Coweta. 

He was named Building Principal of Woodall Elementary School in Tahlequah, Okla. in 2005 where he spent four years before joining Hilldale Public Schools as Building Principal at the Elementary School. 

Crawley joined Deer Creek Public Schools in 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer directing all funds including a $152 million lease-purchased bond issue. He returned to Broken Arrow Public Schools in 2013 as the Executive Director of Secondary Education supervising and directing instruction and administrative staff.

Biography

Kim Fleak is the Executive Director of Student Services for Muskogee Public Schools. 

She most recently served as Executive Director of Human Resources and previously served the district as Principal of Muskogee High School, a role she held since 2017. Prior to MHS, Mrs. Fleak was Principal of Irving Elementary, a Stephen Covey ‘Leader in Me’ school, for five years. 

She spent 11 years at the Muskogee Alternative Program as a teacher, Dean of Students and in 2003 was named Principal before assuming the same position at Harris Jobe Elementary. In her five years at Harris Jobe, Fleak implemented Literacy First a literacy framework that has been adopted district-wide. 

In her thirty-year career in education, she has taught grades fourth through twelfth. She began her career as a fourth-grade teacher in Sand Springs, Okla. Fleak came to Muskogee, Okla. in 1993 joining Saint Joseph’s Catholic School teaching sixth through eighth grade for four years. In 1997, Fleak joined Muskogee Public Schools. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in School Administration from Northeastern State University. 

 

Biography

Dr. Jason Parker was promoted to Muskogee Public Schools Executive Director of Athletics in July 2021 after serving the previous two years as Director of Athletics. 

Prior to joining MPS, Dr. Parker served Sapulpa Public Schools for four years as the Director of Athletics. In his short time at the helm, Sapulpa saw nine programs transformed from underperforming to competing for conference and/or district championships. Four consecutive Region Coach of the Year honors were bestowed upon Sapulpa coaches, each from a different program, during his time leading the department. Football, Baseball, Boys and Girls Soccer, and Boys Basketball saw a record number of single season wins in the respective programs history. More Sapulpa students qualified for State competition in Cross Country, Track, Tennis, and Golf in his four years than had in the previous decade combined. Over a three year period, six times OSSAA Academic recognition was earned by Sapulpa programs and the emphasis on academic excellence saw nearly 60 student-athletes sign collegiate scholarships.

In 2018, Dr. Parker earned his Certified Masters in Athletic Administration and currently serves on the Board for the Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA) as well as the Publications Committee for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). Parker was named OIAAA Oklahoma Newcomer of the Year in 2017. 

A familiar name in Northeastern Oklahoma sports, Dr. Parker played collegiately at the University of Tulsa as a member of the men’s basketball team. He was twice named ESPN Academic All-American, helped the Golden Hurricane to a National Invitational Tournament Championship in 2001, and two NCAA Tournament appearances. He completed his undergraduate degree at Tulsa with Cum-Laude distinction. 

Upon graduation, Dr. Parker spent five years playing professional basketball in Italy, Greece, and Russia. He then returned to the University of Tulsa as an athletic department Graduate Assistant for the Director of Athletics working for former athletic directors Bubba Cunningham, Ross Parmley, and Dr. Derrick Gragg. 

Dr. Parker was inducted into the Tulsa Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame as a graduate of Tulsa Memorial High School. He concluded his high school career as the all-time leading scorer in Chargers history and graduated third in his graduating class. 

Prior to joining Sapulpa Public Schools, Dr. Parker served as Director of Athletics at Monte Cassino School in Tulsa, Okla. for two years where he established a comprehensive and cohesive education-based athletics program for the second largest private school in Oklahoma. During his time leading the athletic department, Monte Cassino saw participation increase 90-percent in-season and 45-percent during the offseason. 

 

 

Biography

David Chester serves Muskogee Public Schools as the Executive Director of Finance a role he has held since July 2021. 

Since May 2019, Chester has served MPS as the Director of Accounting assisting the Chief Financial Officer in development of the district’s operating budget. He oversaw the finance team including treasury, accounts payable, payroll, and activity fund. Additionally, Chester prepared the Estimate of Needs and Annual Financial Report, reviewed monthly bank reconciliations, implemented procedures related to accounting and internal controls, and coordinated the annual financial audit. 

Prior to joining Muskogee Schools, David was a Senior Auditor at Kerry John Patten, CPA since 1998. In his role as Senior Auditor he conducted audits of financial statements for 70 public school districts and technology centers around the state of Oklahoma. He conducted Single Audits in accordance with the Uniform Guidance of clients expending over $750,000 of Federal funds. 

He presented annual financial reports to the Board of Education for audit clients, trained new employees on audit procedures utilized by the firm, and other firm policies and procedures. As Senior Auditor he compiled the Estimate of Needs, or legally adopted budget, for each of the firm’s public school district clients, several county governments, health departments, and Emergency Medical Service districts. Chester performed agreed-upon procedures for clients that led to the discovery of fraud and consulted with clients on implementing recommendations made during the audit. 

David earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from East Central University in Ada, Okla. In August 1999 he received his Certified Public Accountant certificate and is a member of the Oklahoma Society of CPA’s, serving as a current committee member of the Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee.
 

 

Biography

Braun joined Muskogee Public Schools in August 2018 from Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla. where he served as Assistant Athletic Director for Operations.

Braun has previous experience in public relations having served as the Assistant Athletic Director of Communications and Sports Information Director in two stints at RSU. In his time promoting Hillcat Athletics, Braun led the development of RSU Athletics’ social media including the implementation of Instagram, the launch of a new website design, and media coverage of the Hillcats’ 12 athletic programs. He was responsible for press releases, video production, broadcasting, publicity and information materials, and social media.

He oversees the district's website, social media outlets, publications, and media relations. During his time at Muskogee, Braun has launched the district's Instagram page, led the redesign of the district website, created numerous publications to better inform stakeholders, and contributed to the distribution of information surrounding the Muskogee Made For More Student Investment Plan. 

He previously served as Editor of VYPE Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Sports Director at iHeart Media’s KTBZ am1430 the Buzz, and has written for the Claremore Daily Progress and the Broken Arrow Ledger.

A native of Broken Arrow, Okla., he holds a master’s degree in secondary education from East Central University and a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Rogers State.

 

 

Biography

Bradley Eddy joins Muskogee Public Schools Education Service Center as Director of Human Resources after spending the past year as a Life Coach at Muskogee High School. 

Bradley holds more than 25 years of experience in the field of education in the Tulsa area. 

He began his career as a high school English teacher, a position he held for three years. Eddy spent the next nine years as a middle school counselor before accepting the role of Principal at an elementary level. 

Following five years leading as Principal, he moved into a director’s role in the central office of Tulsa Public Schools until 2020 when he joined MPS. 

Eddy received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education, summa cum laude, from Northeastern State University. 

 

Biography

Carla Cooper is the Executive Administrative Assistant to Dr. Mendenhall, Superintendent.  She also serves as the Board Minutes Clerk for the Muskogee Board of Education.

Before joining the district in 2004, Ms. Cooper served as Executive Administrative Assistant to Jerry Whitlock owner of Whitlock Packaging Corporation for 23 years.  During her tenure at WPC, the corporation became the largest contract manufacturer of branded non-carbonated beverages in North America. The company achieved significant growth through acquisitions, expansion of production facilities, product innovation and increased volume from major clients such as PepsiCo, Coke, Nestle, Arizona Tea, Campbell Soup, Ocean Spray and many others.

In 2018, Ms. Cooper received the Diddy Pennington Award for Administrative Excellence from the Muskogee City-County Port Authority.  In 2019 she was Support Employee of the Month for Muskogee Public Schools.

Ms. Cooper is a native of Muskogee, Oklahoma and graduated from Muskogee High School in 1977.  She also attended Northeastern State University and Connors State College. She has been married to Steve Cooper for 15 years and they share a blended family of 8 daughters, 8 sons-in-law and 18 grandchildren.