Stillwater schools welcome new board member, two administrators
Elders, Zimmerman hired as Butcher is sworn in to fill Ward 5 vacancy
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Editor's note (July 15, 2026): This story has been updated to clarify that Tyler Elders and Trevor Zimmerman are filling existing positions within Stillwater Public Schools, not newly created roles. The Stillwegian regrets the errors.
The Stillwater Board of Education appointed a new member to fill its vacant Ward 5 seat Tuesday and welcomed two new administrators to the district, according to releases from Stillwater Public Schools.
The board appointed Kiah Butcher to fill the district's vacant Ward 5 seat Tuesday, choosing her from a pool of three candidates interviewed earlier this month.
The seat opened after Dr. Marshall Baker resigned June 4 following his appointment to the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, a move required under state law barring service on both boards simultaneously, The Stillwegian previously reported. The district opened Ward 5 applications June 5 and closed them June 25, then planned to swear in Baker's replacement at its regular meeting Tuesday. Because the vacancy occurred during the first half of Baker's term, which ran through 2030, Butcher will serve until a special election is held in 2027.
New voice for Ward 5
Butcher currently works as marketing manager for the Oklahoma State University Department of Wellness. She previously served as a marketing director for Chick-fil-A and owned her own consulting company. A native of Kentucky, she holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration, marketing and management from OSU and a certificate in project management from Harvard.
"I believe strong public schools are one of the greatest investments a community can make," Butcher said in a statement released by the district. "Schools set the foundation for what's to come. They help our children become well-educated, good citizens, which ultimately strengthens our local workforce and our entire community."
Butcher said in the statement that her connection to public education traces back to her father's career.
"My father was an agricultural education teacher for 32 years," she said. "Growing up, I saw firsthand the dedication, heart, and incredible things that schools can achieve."
Butcher said she wants to bring a collaborative, forward-looking approach to the board.
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"I want to help promote a culture of planning for the future and, most importantly, to responsibly listen and represent parental perspectives," she said. "I hope my experience with nonprofit organizations will help the district identify its needs, recognize where gaps exist, and build community partnerships to address those challenges. I want to help Stillwater continue building strong public schools where every student has a pathway to success, whatever they choose to pursue."
Butcher serves on the boards of the Early Childhood Coalition and StillWONDER, is a member of the Stillwater Rotary Club and serves on the Gifted and Talented Advisory Council at Westwood Elementary. She and her husband, an associate professor and research scientist at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, moved to Stillwater in 2019 with their two daughters.
Board President Gay Washington welcomed Butcher's appointment in the district's statement, citing her nonprofit and community experience.
"We are so excited to welcome Kiah to the board," Washington said in the statement. "She brings a wealth of experience in serving nonprofits and building community relationships through her work with StillWONDER and the Early Childhood Coalition. As an actively engaged parent of two Stillwater Public Schools students, she offers a vital perspective, and we look forward to her contributions."
Two new administrators join district leadership
Stillwater Public Schools has also hired Tyler Elders to fill its director of secondary education position and Trevor Zimmerman to fill a vacant assistant principal post at Stillwater Junior High School.
Elders will provide leadership and instructional support across the district's secondary sites. He joins Stillwater from Enid Public Schools, where he served as secondary curriculum director, according to the district. He began his career in 2008 as a science teacher in Texas before moving into instructional coaching and leadership roles, including positions at McKinney High School and Enid High School.
He holds a master's degree in educational leadership from East Central University, a Bachelor of Science in biomedical science from Texas A&M University, and certifications as a secondary and elementary principal and in special education and secondary science.
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"I am honored to join Stillwater Public Schools," Elders said in a district statement. "Stillwater is a tremendous community with a passion for providing an education that is relevant to every child and striving to prepare every student for post-secondary success."
During his tenure in Enid, Elders led a data-driven strategy that produced a 1.1 point increase in high school ACT scores within a single academic year, according to the district. He also oversaw secondary STEM pathways and helped lead the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program, which supported dozens of teachers.
Dr. Angela Rhoades, assistant superintendent of educational services, said in the district's statement that Elders' data-driven approach will benefit the district's secondary programs.
"Tyler's extensive knowledge, data-driven approach, and proven track record of elevating student achievement will be invaluable," Rhoades said. "His ability to support our teachers while collaborating with staff, parents, and students will help shape the future of our secondary education programs."
The board also approved Zimmerman's hire as assistant principal at Stillwater Junior High during its Tuesday meeting. Zimmerman will join the junior high's administrative team this fall, alongside Principal Darren Nelson and Assistant Principal Ashley Dobbs, as the school prepares to shift from serving eighth and ninth graders to seventh and eighth graders. The board approved that grade reconfiguration in 2021 to integrate ninth grade into Stillwater High School once its new building opens this fall.
Originally from Fairview, Zimmerman holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a master's degree in health and human performance from Oklahoma State University, plus a school administration certification from East Central University in Ada. His career includes teaching and coaching positions in Okeene and Perkins, a stint teaching middle school math and science in Guatemala City, six years at Westminster School in Oklahoma City and eight years with Epic Charter Schools. He joined Stillwater Public Schools last year as a secondary virtual teacher before moving into this role.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to join the junior high team, especially during such a pivotal time," Zimmerman said in a district statement. "I'm particularly looking forward to helping the school navigate its upcoming transition as it prepares to serve seventh and eighth graders."
Nelson said in the district's statement that Zimmerman's mix of classroom and administrative experience will serve the school well.
"I am excited to add Trevor to our team," Nelson said. "He brings a diverse background in education, with experience as both a classroom teacher and administrator. I believe Trevor will be a tremendous asset to Stillwater Junior High, and I am excited for our students, staff, and families to get to know him."
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