A Lasting Institution for School Support

Challenge: Oklahoma’s rural and charter schools lacked access to essential resources, professional development, and policy support. There was no centralized infrastructure to ensure long-term school improvement and sustainability.

Solution:  Recognizing this need, Gardenhire worked to establish the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC) and led its development from concept to reality.

• Secured the funding and designed the operational model to launch OPSRC.

• Recruited the first executive director, who served for 10 years, ensuring strong leadership from the outset.

• Identified and secured the building that remains OPSRC’s headquarters today, over 12 years later.

• Positioned OPSRC as a critical resource hub, offering training, policy support, and technical assistance to schools across the state.

Impact:

• OPSRC now serves more than 240 school districts and charter schools, improving school quality and innovation statewide.

• Provided vital professional development and advocacy support, ensuring school leaders have the tools to succeed.

• Established a permanent institution that continues to drive education reform and school improvement today.