Guthrie has 26 years of experience in education, including the past two years at OSDE overseeing the divisions of School Accreditation, Federal Title Programs and Child Nutrition Programs. His duties also include working with the U.S. Department of Education to keep local school districts in compliance with federal and local entities. Guthrie spent a total of seven years as a district superintendent, leading at both Stigler Public Schools and Pocola Public Schools.

“Monty is a visionary leader with a track record of unifying staff and developing positive relationships within the school community,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. “He is a problem solver with a heart for kids, an experienced fiscal manager who values innovative programs that consider all students. The health and safety of the students and staff at Western Heights are top priorities for us, and I’m confident that Monty’s leadership will bring a positive and productive school climate back to the district.”

Guthrie will lead development of a complete intervention plan to correct noncompliance and deficiencies that have been identified within the district. Through work with a needs assessment team from OSDE and a State and Community Intervention Performance team, made up of parents, staff, business leaders and community members, Guthrie will be a direct liaison to the OSBE, which has directed a full state intervention of the district, to be reviewed at least every 90 days.

Guthrie holds a master’s degree in school administration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting, both from Northeastern State University. He was one of three district superintendents chosen to serve on the state’s Funding Formula Task Force, served as treasurer for the Oklahoma School Advisory Council and is an at-large board member for the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools. He began his career in education as a teacher and coach for nine years before moving into school administration as a principal and later as a superintendent.