Putnam City High School - Treasure Chest Yearbook (Oklahoma City, OK)

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New and yet old to Putnam City High School this year is MY. Ralph Downs. Leaving Putnam after years as a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal, he returned in 1964 to serve as high school principal. This is not the first time Mr. Downs has served in the capacity of principal. After three years he left Por- tales, New Mexico, to assume his present position. He received his P-achelor's degree from Bethany Nazarene College and was granted his Master's from the University of Oklahoma. He has also done two ,summer's graduate work for his doctorate. While at Putnam he served as president of the Put- nam City Classroom Teacher's Association and the Put- nam City Chapter of Oklahoma Education Association. In Portales he was a member of the New Mexico Ac- tivities Association, president of the District Athletic Conference, and was on the executive board of the local education association. He was also president-elect of the Portales Kiwanis Club and secretary of his church board. Even though being principal of a school as large as Putnam City High School involves shouldering great responsibility, Mr. Downs is well suited to the task of fulfilling his obligations as principal. The students will see new opportunities emerge under the quality leader- ship of Mr. Ralph Downs. to odvcmce educotion MR. B. J. NICHOLS Assistant Principal MR. RALPH DOWNS PRINCIPAL In 1961 Mr. B. J. Nichols was promoted to the position of assistant principal at Putnam City High School. In this jump from science teacher to administrator, he as- sumed a whole new association with those who had theretofore been only faces in a classroom. His new duties involved Mr. Nichols in all phases of school life. He now helps with schedules, finds and hires substitute teachers, and renders decisions in discipline problems. In the absence of Mr. Downs, the cares of a principal fall on the shoulders of Mr. Nichols.. Well prepared for this career in education, Mr. Nichols was graduated from Central State College with a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to his lVlaster's degree, he has completed 30 extra hours in City School Administration. . Although impressed with the high caliber of students found at Putnam City, Mr. Nichols feels that part of the credit is due to the surrounding community for its unfailing support of the school. APPOINTMENTS TO MAKE, appoints To keep! Parents, Teachers, admin- istration always keep Mr. Downs busy with the everyday clatter of school life. :VV . . .... v .... . .J K I. . . T tiiif T ...... c ..o.......... . K: it sss.. as if sirrii P... i.s. iiis 1 .I is A if , M' ii'i 'W i ii 1 ' ff? -. i ......, ,mm . K .. fm. .....,.,,.mm+--. . .V .... -5 I .2 M .H.f5a..Mieie . I K -. W-W. . I a

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H MR. LEO C. MAYFIELD SUPERINTENDENT Serving as right-hand man to the superintendent of a large independent school system could be a thankless task and one which might convince a man that there are better ways to make a living. Mr. Fred Caviness, however, now serving in his fourth year as assistant superintendent, has overcome the difficulties inherent in his position and re- mains an affable person and efficient administrator. With a B.A. from Central State College, and an M.A. from the University of Oklahoma, Mr. Caviness has served as principal and superintendent of various high schools around the state. Since coming to Putnam City, he has been a history teacher at the Sr. High, principal at Cen- t1'al Elementary and transportation director. He assumed his present position in 1961. A personable conversationalist, Mr. Caviness has proven to be an able coordinator and supervisor. He is actively interested in the advancement of education and takes part in various education associations active in Oklahoma. ALWAYS BUSY, YET always there to help when help is needed, Mr. Mayfield, Superintendent, takes time out from his busy schedule to correspond with his secretary, Mrs. Lee Mason. i ll c - A - A broadened scope of responsibility awaited Mr. Leo C. Mayfield when he assumed the position of Putnam City's new superintendent of schools. After serving in the capacity of principal at Putnam City High School for seventeen years, Mr. Mayfield now carries the obligation to pro- vide for the more than 12,000 students of this independent district. Under the weight of the problems arising each day, Mr. Mayfield keeps a clear head and the ability to make decisions. He began his higher education at Northeastern State College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. Post-graduate work at the University of Oklahoma earned his Mas- ters, but he continued his studies at the Univer- sity of Southern California. This wide back- ground in learning has stood him in good stead as he has followed his career in teaching. Com- ing to Putnam City as a coach, he was later pro- moted to principal of Central Junior High. Mr. Mayfield is well known for his work on the drop-out situation. As a result of his work, Putnam City's drop-out rate has re- ceded below both the state and national aver- age. Outside his administrative responsibilities, he takes an active part in the community as a member of the American Legion and Lion's Club International. The district is proud to have such an outstanding man as head of its administra- tion. ADMINISTRATION Administrators strive Sf u...... MR. FRED CAVINESS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

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SCHOOL BOARD Members spearhead districtis administration Left to right: Mrs. Lee Mason, Messrs. George Dane, Bill Garis, Fred Gray, W. B. Morvvood, Don Greve, and Leo Mayfield. Aiding the superintendent in his administration of the vast Putnam City School district. the school board serves an important, though oft too -little publicized function. Consisting of six members, the board is elected from and by residents of the district. This is done on a staggered basis so that one new member takes a place on the board annually for a five year term. This board shares the responsibility of planning for the district and the management of the 12,000 students and 717 employees of Putnam City. Meeting the first Monday of each month, the board passes on such matters as plans and suggestions for building, financing and management of future expan- sion, the policy and precedure governing the entire system, and maintenance of a qualified and up-to-date personnel. The students and their parents as well owe much to members of the board for making Putnam City one of the outstanding school systems in Oklahoma. PONDERING the additional responsibilities of a new office is Superintendent Leo C. Mayfield.