With nearly 13 years of service to Northeast Tech already under his belt, Roger Crutchfield was approved by a unanimous vote to be the district’s next superintendent at a special board meeting Wednesday night. Beginning July 1, 2019, Crutchfield will replace current Superintendent Fred Probis, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Probis has proudly served as the district’s superintendent for 10 years.
“One of the biggest things we have accomplished in my time here is an overall improvement of organizational culture,” said Probis. “We have opened lines of communication and established district-wide cohesiveness. And while Roger will still have a lot to do, I am also proud of what we have done with our facilities through improvement and expansion. All of that is just lumber and steel and concrete, but the real benefit is being able to better serve the students and helping them leave here with the knowledge and confidence to be productive members of the workforce.”
Crutchfield hopes to continue to develop that positive organizational culture when he takes the reins this summer.
“I am very excited to be afforded the opportunity to succeed my friend and mentor, Fred Probis as the next superintendent,” said Crutchfield. “I have worked closely with him as the district has grown, new staff have been added and new facilities erected. I plan on continuing in the current trajectory as I assume the new role.”
Probis, who has no immediate plans for retirement other than working on a list of things at his home and spending more time with his wife Paula and their five grandchildren, will always have a special place in his heart for the Northeast Tech organization.
“Coming here for this job was the best career move I ever made,” said Probis. “Of all the things I have been able to do over my years in the workforce, my time at Northeast Tech has certainly been the highlight.”
Crutchfield echoed his thoughts.
“We have a great board here at Northeast Tech, as well as a talented, dedicated faculty and staff that will continue to improve moving forward,” Crutchfield added. “Our people make us great. I don’t believe you could find a more collaborative collection of individuals who work together to identify problems and viable solutions.”
Crutchfield is in his eleventh year of serving as Northeast Tech’s Deputy Superintendent. Prior to that, Crutchfield worked in Adult Education at Northeast Tech for two years. He also has 18 years of experience in Common Education.
“My vision for the future would include a continued effort to improve our facilities,” said Crutchfield. “We still have several programs in antiquated spaces. We will accomplish this by building some new buildings and renovating others, much as we have over the last several years. My other goals include providing additional instructional support, additional programs in critical areas, increased engagement with the business and industry sector of our district, and employing increasingly innovative approaches to our marketing efforts with our stakeholders. The future is bright for Northeast Tech.”
Following the action on his appointment, Probis congratulated Crutchfield.
“Roger has been my Deputy for ten years,” said Probis. “He has been involved in every major decision as well as the day-to-day operations during that time. I am more than confident handing the ball off to him.”
Crutchfield is a member of the Cooperative Council of School Administrators, the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technical Education and the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators, where he was selected as the District 20 Assistant Superintendent of the Year. In addition to his certifications as a classroom teacher and administrator, and credentials for Career Tech Administration, Crutchfield holds Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degrees, both from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Originally from Inola, Crutchfield has lived most of his adult life in Claremore. He and his wife Misty have been married for 32 years and share three adult children and three grandchildren.
