Lock, Kreger asking for your vote Tuesday
Casey Kreger
On the ballots are Newcastle Board of Education Office 1, Mid-America Vocational Technology District Board Office No. 2
Newcastle voters will be going to the polls to determine who will serve in two seats — one on the Newcastle Public Schools’ Board of Education, and one on the Mid-America Technology Center Board of Education.
The polls are open in Newcastle from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
Seeking Office No. 1 of the Newcastle Board of Education are Ronald R. Lock and Casey Kreger. Lock currently holds the seat. He was elected last year to fill the remainder of an unexpired five-year term.
Because only two people filed, a general election will not be necessary and the candidate with the most votes in the primary election wins the seat.
Seeking Office No. 2 of the Mid-America Vocational Technology Center Board of Education is incumbent Michael Dillinger and challenger Bruce Bridwell. Our Questions and Answers from the MATC candidates is online only at newcastlepacer.com.
Early voting gets underway from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today (Thursday) at the historic City Hall in Blanchard, 114 W. Broadway, and at the McClain County Community Center, 1721 Hardcastle Blvd. in Purcell.
CANDIDATES Q&A Ronald (Ron) Lock Q: Office you seek?
A: School Board Member Ward One Q: Who are the members of your family?
A: I live with my wife of 16 years, Angela Lock (Dodson). I have four sons; Isaac Matthew, Aaron Larkin, Adam Patrick and Jacob Thomas. All my boys are grown and on their own.
Q: What is your employment?
A: I am retired from Oklahoma Department of Corrections ( Probation and Parole Officer) and Oklahoma County Government (Executive Director of the Community Sentencing Program).
My professional positions taught me the required skills to be successful in working within the government environment. As the executive director of a program for Oklahoma county government I learned the rules for holding open meetings and listening and addressing questions and concerns from the community. I learned to become a fair and compassionate leader.
Q: Why are you seeking a seat on the Newcastle Public Schools Board of Education?
A: I have enjoyed working as a NPS school board member because I’ve always found it rewarding working as part of a group that is involved in the improvement of social issues. I believe that few things are perfect and there is nothing more fulfilling than establishing a set of goals and striving to make advancements to meet those goals. It is exciting to work with the other members as we draw on our work experiences and life experiences to improve our school district.
While working in this position I will always remember and apply what Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
I’m a good communicator who is willing to listen to the community’s interests and questions regarding school issues. I desire to represent the best interests of the people in Ward One. I’m a good problem solver, have an open mind to draw in all needed information to reach a fair response to all issues. I can explain my actions and I will always pursue what is right and correct for all people concerned Q: What are the positive attributes of Newcastle Schools?
A: The current school board and other administrative staff have started the long overdue process of improving our schools physical property. The last bond passed by the people of Newcastle recognized this need and the results of those expenditures should be obvious to all. Although not finished, these improvements will supply a safer and more useful learning environment for all our students.
Q: How would you work to further those attributes?
A: There are big changes coming to our city that will greatly increase our population. These events demand that the school board set goals that must be met in order to keep our students prepared in their educational success. As a school board member we must stay in front of the needs of our school population.
Q: What are the negative attributes of Newcastle Schools?
A: In any school system money will always be an issue. An increase in our schools’ state test scores should be our most desired goal. I desire to make our school district the frontrunner in academic excellence, a model to follow for all other districts in our state. All our students need to be challenged academically no matter where their path in life leads.
Q: How would you address the negative attributes?
A: As a young man, I used to think that I was always right in all my decisions. After getting a few years worth of life experiences behind me I discovered that only a fool thinks they are right in every situation. As a person involved in the education environment I realize that learning new things and correcting outdated ideas is a daily undertaking. I think that by keeping an open mind, listening to others and having an honest dialog with all invested people will overcome any negative attributes we may face in doing what is right for all those involved in our school’s progression.
Q: How is the school’s infrastructure and campuses and what needs further work?
A: As a school board member, we need to finish what we started with the last bond issue. We need to continue to update all our outdated buildings and other structures.Our ability to retain our best teachers is paramount to our success. We need to be prepared for the future as much as possible, this includes the expansion of our campuses and staff members as our student population steadily increases.
Q: Are there physical areas of the school district you would improve?
A: Looking into the future I think we will continue to see building materials increase in costs. Because of this I believe it would behoove the community to act now and prepare for all the needs for the future, i.e school expansion, teacher pay increases and school technology items.
Q: How would your service impact the student outcomes at Newcastle Public Schools?
A: I am a good communicator that listens to the community and works to represent — Due to space limitations in this week’s issue of the
EDITOR’S NOTE
Newcastle Pacer,
our Question and Answer story on the two candidates for the Mid-America Vocational Technology Office No. 2 will be online only at newcastlepacer.com. It is free to view, and we encourage voters to go online to read about candidates Michael Dillinger and Bruce Bridwell.
the best interests of all people. I am a good problem solver, having an open mind to draw in all needed information to reach a fair response to all issues. I am very capable in explaining my actions and I always pursue what is right. I will be a constant voice for both parents and students in striving to improve both the scholastic and athletic standing for all Racers.
••• CASEY KREGER
Q: Office you seek?
A: Ward 1, Office No. 1 seat for the Board of Education for Newcastle Public Schools Q: Who are the members of your family?
A: My wife, Kailee, and daughter, Esther, who is currently in Pre-K at Newcastle Early Childhood Center.
Q: What is your employment?
A: I serve as the Senior Director of Housing and Residence Life at Oklahoma City University, where I support student success and oversee areas such as safety, facilities, dining operations, and engagement within the residential experience.
I have over 16 years of experience in higher education across housing and residence life, coaching, teaching, assessment, student conduct and support, disability services, and student engagement.
Q: Why are you seeking a seat on the Newcastle Public Schools Board of Education?
A: I am seeking a seat to serve and give back to a community where education and schools are at the heart of the community. As both a parent and an educator, I value strong leadership, intentional decision making, and transparent communication. I want to help the district continue to grow in a way that supports students, staff, and families while keeping decisions focused on students.
Q: What are the positive attributes
of Newcastle Schools?
A: Newcastle schools benefit from dedicated teachers and staff who are committed to student success from early childhood through high school. The district continues to adapt to evolving state standards while remaining forward thinking in teaching, assessment, and planning for growth, including capital projects. Students are supported through intentional instruction, solid academic foundations, along with cocurricular opportunities that help them develop and find their path.
Q: How would you work to further those attributes?
A: I would work to further these attributes by supporting the people who contribute to student success across the district, ensuring responsible use of resources, and maintaining a focus on long term planning and improvement. This includes maintaining transparent communication, being a listening ear to families, staff, and community members, and understanding how decisions impact the broader community. My goal is to collaborate with other board members to set a clear direction and make intentional decisions that continue to strengthen both academic and co-curricular opportunities for students.
Q: What are the negative attributes of Newcastle Schools?
A: As a growing district, one of the primary challenges is balancing growth with maintaining quality. This includes ensuring there are adequate facilities for both academic and co-curricular experiences, effective hiring and retention of staff, and sufficient resources such as technology, transportation, and safety measures to meet increasing enrollment.
The district must also continue to adapt curriculum to evolving state standards and the diverse needs of students.
Q: How would you address the negative attributes?
A: Addressing these challenges requires intentional planning, responsible use of resources, and clear communication with the community. As a board member, I would work collaboratively to review and support long-term planning for facilities, staffing, and resources while ensuring decisions reflect both current needs and future growth. This includes reviewing data, setting priorities, and ensuring accountability so resources align with student needs. Maintaining transparency and listening to families, staff, and community members will remain important.
Q: How is the school’s infrastructure and campuses and what needs further work?
A: Newcastle has quality facilities, and the district is already taking steps to improve areas such as the high school. At the same time, continued growth is placing pressure on classroom space, activity areas, and existing facilities across the district. As a result, some areas are nearing capacity, with temporary solutions such as trailers being used, or require updates to better support student learning and participation in both the classroom and co-curricular activities.
There are also ongoing needs related to safety, transportation, and maintenance as the district continues to grow. This includes ensuring adequate safety infrastructure, such as storm shelter capacity, maintaining and updating existing facilities, and monitoring transportation as routes expand and buses age. Planning around available space and long term facility needs will be important to ensure the district can continue to meet demand.
Moving forward, continued planning and investment will be important to ensure facilities keep pace with growth and support students across both academic and co-curricular areas.
Q: Are there physical areas of the school district you would improve?
A: Any improvements should be guided by long-term planning, enrollment trends, and the needs of students and the community. My top priorities would be student safety, along with classroom capacity and support, ensuring students have the space and environment needed to learn effectively.
I would then prioritize co-curricular spaces to allow students to participate in activities within Newcastle rather than traveling to other communities. This includes ensuring facilities meet necessary standards, addressing maintenance needs, and considering multi-use or collaborative spaces that maximize available space and expand opportunities for students. These improvements may also create potential for future auxiliary revenue while better serving students.
Overall, the focus should be on making intentional, well planned improvements that support students today while preparing for future growth.
Q: How would your service impact the student outcomes at Newcastle Public Schools?
A: My service would impact student outcomes by helping ensure that decisions remain focused on students and support both academic learning and cocurricular opportunities. I would do this by supporting the people who work with students each day, collaborating with others to plan for growth, using resources responsibly, and recognizing student achievement while supporting community partnerships. This approach helps create an environment where students are prepared, supported, and able to find their pathway forward.
