FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2025
Contact: AJ Graffeo, Public Information Officer
agraffeo@putnamcityschools.org
405-495-5200 ext. 1216
Dr. Fred Rhodes, Putnam City Schools Superintendent, Announces Retirement,
School Board Begins Search
After 50 years in public education, Dr. Rhodes, Superintendent, announces his retirement.
At the August 4th School Board Meeting, Dr. Fred Rhodes announced his retirement from the Putnam City Superintendency. He plans to retire after this coming 2025-2026 school year and complete his contract through July 1, 2026.
In his “Letter of Appreciation” to the School Board, he stated that he will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve the students and the entire Putnam City Community.
Dr. Rhodes stated that he was “professionally born” in Putnam City when he started as a student teacher at Wiley Post Elementary in January 1976. His career spans 50 years, beginning as a Grade 5-6 teacher at Wiley Post; Assistant Principal at Wiley Post and Dennis Elementary; and Inaugural Principal of Will Rogers Elementary, where he stayed 22 years. After 29 years with Putnam City, he became an Assistant Superintendent with Yukon Schools and, after 8 years, “came home” to serve as Putnam City’s 24th Superintendent. When he retires in July of 2026, his 13 years will be one of the longest tenures of superintendents in the District’s 112-year history.
The School Board plans to contract with the Oklahoma State School Board Association to assist with their search for the next superintendent to follow Rhodes.
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