Seminole School Board member Marci Donaho has announced her intent to run for a second term. The election for School Board will be held on April 6.

Donaho, who is the Executive Director of the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, is a former teacher and long-time civic leader.

She spent 14 of her 26 years as an educator teaching in the Seminole Public School System, working with well-known Seminole administrators Bonnie Lee Grisso, Mac Carter and Dr. Audie Woodard. In 1996, she left the classroom to become the President/CEO of the Children’s Museum — something she calls “a much larger classroom.”

Donaho earned a Bachelor in Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Master in Arts from the University of Oklahoma in Administrative Leadership.

Donaho brings a unique combination of experience to her role as a Board member. “My education, plus classroom and business experiences, afford me a depth of knowledge by which to serve my community - particularly as a school board member. During my teaching career I have always sought ways to be a positive influence for students inside and outside the classroom,” she said.

While working for Seminole Public Schools, she served as a Drill Team Sponsor for five years, and was Seminole’s Odyssey of the Mind (OM) Coach for several years. Her students won numerous state competitions and competed in the World Finals against OM teams from around the world. She served as the District’s Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator and on the State Board of Directors, later becoming State Director of the program.

Donaho has been active in community organizations, serving in a number of leadership roles. She is a Past President of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and former member of the Chamber Board of Directors. She is a former President of the Seminole Rotary Club and serves on the Seminole Family Resource Center Board and Seminole Tourism Council. Donaho was a graduate of Leadership Seminole and continues to serve as a director of that program. She was recognized as Seminole’s “Citizen of the Year” in 2003.

Donaho was appointed to serve three terms on the Seminole State College Board of Regents, first by Governor Brad Henry and then by Governor Mary Fallin and Governor Kevin Stitt.

Donaho said, “I am, and have always been, a believer in our community. I am a listener; I’m a doer; and I’m open to new and all ideas that would benefit and propel Seminole Public Schools onto a bright future. I believe Seminole educators and support staff have proven themselves to go above and beyond what they might have ever expected. This pandemic provided many challenges which were met with grace and determination, always focusing on what was best for their students. Their principals have been cheerleaders for their efforts, as well as upper administration.”

Donaho has also been active in state organizations. She is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class XII and was recognized by that organization with its “Distinguished Graduate” award in 2018. She was a long-time Board member of the Frontier Country tourism organization. Donaho is a former president of the Oklahoma Museums Association.

She has been honored by the Journal Record as a “50 Women Making a Difference” in the State of Oklahoma on three occasions, and was recognized as one of the “Most Admired CEOs” by that publication.

If elected, Donaho said that she promises to do all she can to ensure Seminole Public Schools does what is best for student success. She said, “Serving these past 5 years, I have learned a great deal from my fellow board members and administrators. It’s not as easy as some might think. There are many challenges that face the Board, and we may not always be able to please everyone, but know that we try to always do what is best for students. They always come first.”