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Stillwater Public Schools has announced several adjustments to its assistant principal staffing assignments ahead of the 2026–2027 school year.

Middle School & Elementary Changes

Following the promotion of Jackie Jackson to Head Principal at Stillwater Middle School, Claire Clark will transition from Skyline Elementary to SMS to fill the vacant assistant principal role. 

High School & Junior High Transitions

With the integration of freshmen at Stillwater High School in the next school year, an additional assistant principal will be added at that site, pending Board of Education approval at an upcoming meeting. 

Upon receiving that approval, Johnna Hayes will move from SJHS to SHS to serve as the additional assistant principal. 

Following that change, Ashley Dobbs will relocate from Westwood Elementary to become a SJHS assistant principal on Princi Nelson’s administrative team.

"We’re incredibly lucky to have such amazing assistant principals in our district," said Superintendent Tyler Bridges. "Stillwater does a fantastic job of preparing its administrators to succeed at any school site. It’s great to have such a strong pool of talent, and I'm looking forward to seeing these three thrive in their new roles."

The leadership changes go into effect for the 2026–2027 school year.

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In an era of an ever-changing technological world, Joe Eastin inspired Oklahoma State University graduates to adapt and press forward as they embark on their career paths.

Eastin, a 1992 business administration graduate, was the keynote speaker for OSU’s spring 2026 commencement, which celebrated the more than 4,500 graduates who earned their degrees on Friday and Saturday.

The cofounder of ISN Software Corporation, a Dallas-based company that serves clients worldwide, Eastin encouraged graduates by speaking about his own journey into the unknown, as well as the famed expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

Eastin discussed how his career exploration took him from the small northeastern Oklahoma town of Adair to Stillwater, Dallas and now as CEO of ISN. Eastin said his first classes at OSU were larger than his entire school in Adair, with a population of 732.

His success was based on proving value to employers, Eastin said. He continued to say that drive will be even more important in the changing work landscape as artificial intelligence has revolutionized the world.

OSU President Jim Hess presided over the university’s 152nd commencement in Stillwater and was joined at the lectern by Eastin; Rick Walker, OSU/A&M Board of Regents chairman; Dr. Stephen Perkins, Faculty Council chair; and Riley Hurlbut, Student Government Association president. OSU Registrar Rita Peaster kicked off the event. Dr. Hess provided opening remarks following the OSU Pipe and Drum band’s processional before introducing Walker, a banker from Lawton, Oklahoma, and OSU alumnus.

Perkins, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology, first congratulated the mothers in the audience inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. Like Eastin, Perkins also discussed the challenges graduates will face entering the workforce, but said earning their college degree was the first step toward finding gainful employment. Quoting a study from the World Economic Forum, Perkins said employers expect 44% of workers' skills to change by 2030, with human-centered skills like critical thinking, serving as the primary advocate sought by employers in an AI economy.

Hurlbut, a master’s student who earned his undergraduate degree from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2025, implored the new graduates to represent OSU well and look back on their college career fondly.

Members of the OSU Opportunity Orange Scholars program for students with intellectual disabilities received their degrees first, followed by the Orange Gown graduates of each college.

After turning their tassels on their caps, graduates looked toward their futures, The OSU System’s spring commencement ceremonies were held at each college across its system campuses.

For OSU-Stillwater, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate College, Ferguson College of Agriculture and College of Professional Studies had their commencement ceremonies on Friday. The College of Education and Human Sciences, the Spears School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology held their commencement ceremonies on Saturday.

OSU-Oklahoma City’s commencement ceremonies were held Friday night at the State Fairgrounds. OSU Institute of Technology held its commencement ceremonies on April 17 in Okmulgee. OSU Center for Health Sciences held its commencement ceremony on Saturday in Tulsa. OSU-Tulsa will hold its ceremony on Monday at Union High School.

Commencement ceremony videos are available on the OSU YouTube channel.

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Stillwater Public Schools is proud to announce that Sangre Ridge Elementary has been officially recognized as a 2026 NAESP National Gold Star School® (NGSS). This prestigious honor, awarded by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), distinguishes Sangre Ridge as a premier elementary learning community dedicated to continuous improvement and student success.

The National Gold Star School® program identifies schools that go beyond standard academic benchmarks to cultivate a holistic environment of excellence. Sangre Ridge was selected based on demonstrated strength in the program’s three core pillars: Established Culture, Empowered People, and Optimal Systems.

"Being recognized as a National Gold Star School is a profound honor that validates our commitment to knowing all students by name and need,” said Principal Cami Patzkowski. “At Sangre Ridge, we know that academic excellence doesn't just happen. It's built on an established culture of trust and high expectations. Our systems ensure that all students' strengths are highlighted and needs are met. I am incredibly proud of our entire school community for building a culture where everyone belongs and everyone grows."

The NGSS framework highlights schools that prioritize high expectations for growth and implement systems that support sustained excellence. As a 2026 recipient, Sangre Ridge will serve as a model for educators across the country.

"We are thrilled to see Sangre Ridge receive this well-deserved national spotlight," said Superintendent Tyler Bridges. "Principal Patzkowski’s leadership, the dedication of our educators, and the support of our families, has created an environment where students thrive. We’re incredibly proud to see a Stillwater Public Schools elementary site recognized at this level."

In honor of this achievement, representatives from Sangre Ridge have been invited to attend the National School Leaders Conference in Orlando, Florida, from July 13-15, 2026. The school will be formally celebrated during a special NGSS recognition event among peers from across the nation.

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The Stillwater Board of Education approved the hiring of two new principals at its regular May 12 meeting. Longtime SPS administrator Jackie Jackson will serve as the new Stillwater Middle School principal, while newcomer to the district Keely Tolin will take on the role at Westwood Elementary.

Jackson began her career in the classroom, serving as a mathematics teacher for 13 years. Her tenure included nine years at Stillwater Junior High, where her dedication earned her the distinction of 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year. In 2017, she transitioned into administration as an assistant principal at SMS. Following the departure of Ryan Blake, she was appointed Interim Principal in February 2026.

A graduate of Guymon High School, Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Oklahoma State University and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

She and her husband are the proud parents of seven young adult children, three of whom are Stillwater graduates. When she isn't at the school, Jackson enjoys being active in the local community. An accomplished musician, she can often be found playing the keyboard for the Richmond Road Band, bringing the same energy and collaborative spirit to the stage that she brings to the halls of Stillwater Middle School.
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Keely Tolin brings 11 years of experience as a school administrator to the role at Westwood Elementary School.

She began her career as a Mathematics Teacher at Norman Public Schools, where she taught for four years, before moving to Shawnee Public Schools, where she spent four years in the classroom and was named site teacher of the year twice. In 2016, she stepped into the role of assistant principal at Shawnee Middle School and was named principal of that school in 2021.

Tolin is a National Institute of School Leadership-trained administrator. In 2026, she was named Distinguished School Administrator by the American Association of School Librarians.

A graduate of Bethel High School, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Education from East Central University.  

Both candidates will assume their new roles for the 2026-2027 school year.

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The City of Stillwater’s May 2026 Tax Apportionment Report reflects March 2026 transactions that were reported to the Oklahoma Tax Commission in April 2026 and apportioned to the City in May.

In comparison to May 2025, the City saw decreases in General Sales Tax, Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Sales Tax, and Transportation Sales Tax collections, while Use Tax collections increased vs. May 2025.
Go to https://stillwaterok.gov/financialcenter for more information about the City of Stillwater budget, taxes, and monthly reports for sales, use, and visitor taxes.

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Visit Stillwater accepted a RedBud Award at the Oklahoma
Tourism and Recreation Department and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association annual
 RedBud Awards ceremony held May 6 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage
 Museum in Oklahoma City.
Visit Stillwater compiled historic information and current activities to remit a proposal on
behalf of Block 34, and was presented the RedBud Award for Outstanding New
 Attraction. The RedBud Awards represent the highest honor given in Oklahoma’s
tourism industry and recognize outstanding attractions, events, organizations, and
marketing efforts across the state.
“Block 34 is an outstanding example of the success a public-private partnership can
provide to enhance the quality of life and visitor development amenities in our
community said Cristy Morrison, President and CEO of Visit Stillwater.

“A huge thank you to Steve and Becky Irby (Kicker), Simmons Bank, BancFirst, the City of Stillwater,
Jim Beckstrom, and others who successfully completed the project to provide a
gathering place within a city block located downtown – the heart of our community.”
The ceremony was emceed by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Amy Blackburn, Executive
Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Awards were presented
 across several categories recognizing Oklahoma’s top tourism attractions, events,
programs, and organizations for their outstanding efforts to serve and promote the
state’s tourism industry.
Visit Stillwater continues to promote the city’s attractions, events, dining, shopping, and
visitor experiences while supporting tourism growth throughout the community.
For more information on the RedBud Awards and the Oklahoma Travel Industry
 Association, visit https://www.otia.info.

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