Purcell’s Board of Education add a pair of new assistant principals during its regular monthly meeting Monday at the school administration building.

2001 PHS graduate Tiffany Cook was hired as the new assistant principal at the junior high and Brian Fitzgerald was tapped as high school assistant principal and the school’s new athletic director.

Cook and her husband, Brad, are parents of two sons, Kaleb, eight and Blake, three. Mrs. Cook will complete her Master’s in Educational Leadership from East Central University this summer. Currently, Mrs. Cook is at Purcell Intermediate School, where she has focused on the social- emotional well-being of students. She runs a popular Yoga Club for students that has seen great success.

“I am truly grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue serving our students, families and community in this new role,” Mrs. Cook said. “I look forward to supporting our junior high and building on the relationships I have developed as a counselor.”

Fitzgerald is a veteran educator with 29 years of experience in Oklahoma public schools.

He began his career teaching social studies and coaching at Bethany Public Schools. He subsequently spent over two decades with Moore Public Schools, serving in various leadership capacities, including as assistant junior high principal and as athletic director for 11 years.

Fitzgerald and his wife, Lori, have two children, Kelsi, a teacher and coach at Moore High School and Brice, a junior at East Central University.

A decorated student-athlete, Fitzgerald earned his bachelor’s degree from Mid-America Bible College (now MACU) in 1995, where he was a team captain, All- Conference selection and a member of the 1000-point scoring club. He later earned a Master of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2000.

“We are excited to bring an educator of Mr. Fitzgerald’s caliber to our district,” high school principal Ricky Hammer said. “His deep roots in Oklahoma education and his proven track record in both athletic administration and school leadership make him an invaluable asset to our staff and students.”

In other action by the board, they renewed the School Resource Officer contract with the city of Purcell for $48,681 and approved the purchase of a new intercom system at the high school.

“We’re going from analog to digital,” Superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo said.

Board members approved the wage progression for the teacher apprentices. Dr. McAdoo said Purcell, Pauls Valley, Wayne and Whitebead School Districts have collaborated for an  on-the-job training program to “grow their own teachers from paraprofessionals.”

The PACT team of Tracy Folsom, Sheli McAdoo, Malachi Blaxton and Carolyn Anyong was approved.

The board approved an ARC Flash Study at the high school to upgrade the electric system with an engineer and electrician to reset the main power source to a higher level.

“We had a big crowd at our meeting of students and parents to celebrate our archery program,” Dr. McAdoo said.