OKCPS Welcomes New District 5 Board Member Verona Dismuke

OKLAHOMA CITY — Verona Dismuke assumed office as the new District 5 board member for Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) on April 13, 2026.
A reception in her honor will be held at 5:00 p.m. prior to the board’s April 20 Work Session, to be held at the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services, 615 N. Classen in Oklahoma City.
Dismuke was the only candidate who filed to run for the District 5 seat after the former District 5 board member, Mike Shelton, announced he would not seek reelection to the position in order to focus on his new job as executive director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform. Shelton had also expressed that there was “constant conflict” between himself and board chair Paula Lewis. Shelton had been appointed to the board in June 2024 to replace Adrian Anderson, who resigned when he moved out of District 5.
Without an opponent to challenge Dismuke in the Feb. 10 primary election, she automatically became the District 5 board member without having to appear on the ballot.
Schools represented by the District 5 board member include Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Thelma R. Parks Elementary, Rogers Middle School, Spencer Elementary, Willow Brook Elementary, FD Moon Middle School, Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast, Douglass High School, Star Spencer Middle School, Star Spencer High School and Extended Educational Services (EES) Pre-K thru 12.
An Oklahoma City native and OKCPS graduate, Dismuke has lived in District 5 since 1997. Her three children graduated from Northeast High School, and her niece is a student at Douglass High School.
OKCPS issued a statement welcoming the board’s newest members: Dismuke and Galilea Martinez, who was recently elected to serve District 7.
“As they step into their new roles, OKCPS looks forward to partnering with Ms. Martinez and Ms. Dismuke to serve our students, families, and community,” reads the statement. “Their leadership comes at an important time as the Board continues its focus on student outcomes, including improving academic achievement, ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction, and strengthening accountability to the community. Together, the Board of Education remains committed to setting a clear vision, monitoring progress toward goals, and aligning resources to ensure every OKCPS student graduates ready to fulfill their unique purpose.”