Meet Our School Board

back row (from left): Jay Sherrill, Steve Burger; front row (from left): Judy Mullen Hopper, Charity Avery, Gail LoPresto

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Charity Avery, Board President

Office No. 4 (Term Expires 2024)

charity.avery96@gmail.com; 405.821.7535

Charity Avery joined the Putnam City Schools board of education in April 2019. She comes from a true Putnam City family. Charity is a proud member of the Putnam City West class of 1996. Her oldest daughter, mother, aunt and uncle also graduated from Putnam City West, her son attended district schools and her youngest daughter and her grandson are currently in district schools. Charity has been involved in Special Olympics for more than a decade and has also been part of the band booster club at Putnam City West. “I love the passion for education that is so clearly present in Putnam City’s school communities, and I really appreciate the opportunities our students have to participate in and excel in the arts. I’m excited to be part of a district that means so much to me,” she says.

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Gail LoPresto, Board Vice President

Office No. 5 (Term Expires 2025)

gaillopresto@gmail.com; 405.623.7600

In February 2015, Gail LoPresto began her fifth term on the Board of Education. She was first elected in July 1997 and ran unopposed in 2000, 2005, and 2015. LoPresto's advocacy for children began when she was expecting her first child in 1978 when Oklahoma City Public Schools was threatening to close the neighborhood school. She has been actively involved in PTA for the past 16 years, serving as president of the Mayfield Middle School PTA for two years. She is an Oklahoma State University graduate.

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Steve Burger, Board Member

Office No. 1 (Term Expires 2026)

coachb111@yahoo.com; 405.204.5744

In April 2021 Steve Burger was elected to the Putnam City School Board which continued his association with Putnam City that started in 1965.

His family is no stranger to the district. Steve’s mother was a secretary in administration for many years. His brother Scott and sister-in-law Linda are both Putnam City West graduates and both taught in the district for many years. Steve’s wife Jan and his sons, Bo and Brad, are all Putnam City graduates as well as nephews, Blake and Brett. 

Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from UCO in Education and Business with graduate hours in Administration, Safety, and Psychology. 

Steve has taught for 44 years in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Including his teaching years, he has been in the PC district since 1985. Steve has had extensive experience in negotiations, curriculum development, and alternative and vocational education. Steve has also served on the negotiation team in Kansas, Missouri, and most recently with the PCACT.  

Steve has also had a successful coaching career, having coached state champions in football, wrestling, track and field, as well as individual state placers in basketball and golf. 

“I am excited and honored to have been elected by the community and entrusted with the obligation to help oversee the education of our students and the continued development of our district,” Steve said.

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Judy Mullen Hopper, Board Member

Office No. 3 (Term Expires 2028)

judymullenhopper@gmail.com; 405.640.5671

Judy Mullen Hopper began her teaching career in 1980 at Harvest Hills Elementary.  Upon retiring in 2015, she continued her passion for public education by becoming an advocate at the state capitol.  She has since joined a parent advocacy group, Putnam City PLAC, to help inform and engage parents throughout our district on issues relating to public education.

In 2018, Judy became a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem with Oklahoma Lawyers for Children.  She uses her continuing education to provide support for foster children who have had their education neglected.  

Judy has been actively involved with the PTO at Harvest Hills as a teacher and now as a member of the community.  Her two adult children attended and graduated from Putnam City Schools.  Currently, her grandson attends Ralph Downs Elementary.  

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Jay Sherrill, Board Member

Office No. 2 (Term Expires 2027)

jay.sherrill@gmail.com; 405.517.2245

Jay Sherrill joined the board in April 2015 when he was appointed to complete an unexpired term. He is a Putnam City High School graduate who returned with his wife, Jessica (a Putnam City West graduate), to the district to raise their two children and continue the Putnam City tradition they both so cherish. Jay holds a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma City University and is currently on a national leadership team with a technology focus for a worldwide diagnostic testing company. “I truly appreciate the opportunity to give back to the school district that provided me so much and hope to work diligently to ensure our students receive the best education,” he says.

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