Durant High School Lady Lions head basketball coach Tony Robinson is retiring, it was announced during last week’s Durant Board of Education meeting.
Robinson was an assistant coach until his son, head coach Will Robinson, along with Will’s daughter Clara died in a Christmas Eve 2024 car accident, and he agreed to take over as coach for the team and led them to a state tournament in 2025. He continued coaching through the 2025-2026 season, and he also was a physical education and weightlifting instructor.
Assistant Superintendent Kenny Chaffin is retiring.
Chaffin’s first year in education was at Denison and then he came to Durant to teach P.E. at Washington Irving. He was an assistant boys basketball coach for nine years and then became assistant principal. He was later named principal of the middle school before becoming assistant superintendent.
Duane Merideth, who retired as superintendent on July 1, 2004, and was then named facilities and construction coordinator for the school district, has resigned from that position.
Superintendent Mark Moring recognized the high school powerlifting team for becoming 5A state champions for the second year in a row.
Coach Mike Dills said there were 13 boys that qualified for the state meet out of 25-28 boys.
“I can say I won state championship while I was here football wise,” Dills said. “They’ve won two now back-to-back. Nobody else in Durant (has won two years in a row). That’s going back into the 70s. There are six of them here that can say they’ve won two state championships back-to-back and there’s nobody else that can say that around here, but they can say that for the rest of their lives, and I appreciate you guys.”
Moring recognized middle school Business Professionals of America. BPA won the state contest and will be traveling to nationals in Nashville, Tenn.
The was the first year for the BPA program and students placed in the top three at state.
DMS teacher Alicia Clubb said there were eight students that placed in the top three.
“It was really something this first year to see these students take the time after school practices and to really take this seriously when they wanted to go to competition and what they really wanted to do, and they really surprised me,” Clubb said. “They fought hard for this.”
Northwest Heights Elementary School STEM teacher Kasey Bennett, who is a top 10 finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, was recognized and she will be featured in next week’s Democrat.
During board member comments, Joyce Northcutt praised coach Robinson for his efforts to help the team.
“He was going through a terrible time too, but they were too, and so I’m so appreciative that he came,” Northcutt said.
Northcutt also praised Chaffin for his service as assistant superintendent, which Moring reiterated.
“He has been the absolute perfect person to help me out and just a rock of advice and just a great, great man to work with in this role for the last, almost two years now,” Moring said. “I’m going to miss you greatly.”
Board President Paul Buntz was presented a plaque. He did not file for reelection, and this was his last meeting after serving on the board for 4.5 years. Casey Powers will be taking his place.
“Paul, you have been just fabulous to work with and just a steady, calm hand and great advice and I just appreciate everything that you’ve done to help and support me and the school and I can’t wait to meet the new guy and get him on board, but we’re losing a wealth of knowledge and just a fantastic human being,” Moring said.
Northcutt praised Buntz, and she quoted former Gov. Brad Henry when he said that if you occupy space, you must serve.
“I want to tell you something: You have served,” Northcutt said. “You have been a part of the community, the city, your church, but most importantly, you’ve served this board, and I just feel honored that I’ve had a couple of times to be on different boards with you. You are outstanding and I just know that I think that you’re probably not finished serving, and we’re going to greatly miss you.”
Buntz said it had been a great experience and an honor to serve on the school board.
“I’ve enjoyed my term on this board very much,” Buntz said.
Board member Jason Manous also praised Buntz.
“When I was president, we were going through the search for the superintendent and Paul spent a lot of time on the phone in discussions and he was definitely a calming presence for me because I was stressed to no end going through all of that,” Manous said. “To have Paul kind of helping me along, it was tremendous.”
The following resignations were received: Helena Guidry, STEM teacher and TSA advisor at middle school; Jenilee Hitchcock, seventh grade math teacher at middle school; Donna Raile, STEM teacher at intermediate school; Megan (Rose) Decker, fifth grade ELA teacher at intermediate school; Suzanne Caldwell, third grade teacher at NWH (retirement); Jessica Manning, kindergarten teacher at NWH; Leanna Olson, second grade teacher at GW (retirement); Misty Forbis, DHS Sparklers director, and Diana Adams, secretary at WI.
The board approved employment of the following: Shaunda Usry, activities director for the POSSE Choctaw Nation Summer School; LeAnna Chaffin, clerk of the board for Durant Schools for the remainder of the school year; Katie Vanisacker, minutes clerk for Durant schools for the remainder of the school year; Doreen Anderson, STEM teacher at the intermediate school, Patty Dickinson, severe and profound special education teacher at George Washington, reassignment from fourth grade special education teacher; Chelsea Frazer, fourth grade special education teacher at George Washington, reassignment from fourth grade teacher; Juanita Lemm, enrollment coordinator, transferring from secretary position, and Terry Dupree, assistant golf coach at high school.
