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NPS names new principal at Norman High School, other hires
The Norman Board of Education approved Monday the district’s recommendation to hire Hallie Wright as principal at Norman High School.
“Norman High School has a reputation for excellence and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Hallie back to Norman to continue that legacy,” said Dr. Nick Migliorino, Norman Public School District superintendent. “She has a wealth of experience and knowledge as a public school administrator and I can’t wait to see the things that will happen for our students and families under her leadership.”
Wright began her career in education as a classroom teacher in Norman Public Schools 27 years ago. Wright, who has 18 years of administrative experience at both the middle and high school levels, is currently an assistant principal at Putnam City West High School. Despite her daily commute to OKC, Wright has continued to make Norman her home, and her daughter is a graduate of Norman Public Schools.
In addition to the hiring of Wright at NHS, the Norman Board of Education approved the hiring of Dr. Kristi Gray as the district director of gifted education, advanced placement and college and career readiness, as well as the hiring of three high school basketball coaches across the district.
Dr. Gray has served as the principal at Norman North for the past two years and is returning to a familiar role, having worked as the district’s director of gifted and advanced programs from 2014 to 2019. The district is currently conducting a thorough search process for a new Norman North principal.
“I could not be more thankful for Dr. Gray’s tireless work at Norman North for the past two years,” said Migliorino. “Kristi’s leadership through an unimaginable set of circumstances has been invaluable to our students, staff and community. She has done an exemplary job and now with two years experience as a high school head principal, she returns to a role she knows extremely well even more prepared to grow and expand the services and opportunities NPS offers its students.”
Cory Cole was named the head coach of the Norman High boys basketball team. Cole is a graduate of NHS and a member of the NHS Basketball Hall of Fame. He returns to the Tigers with a wealth of collegiate coaching experience, including most recently as an assistant coach for the University of Tulsa women’s basketball team. He also served as the head coach of Oklahoma Christian University’s men’s basketball team from 2016-2019 and is a member of the OCU Basketball Hall of Fame.
Frankie Parks was selected as the head coach of the Norman High Girls Basketball team. Parks has served the last seven years as the head assistant and head junior varsity coach of the NHS girls team, where he helped the Tigers to a record of 43-1 over the last two years and won Oklahoma Class 6A state titles in 2019 and 2021.
Al Beal was tabbed as the head coach for the Norman North Girls Basketball team. Beal, who has experience at both the high school and collegiate levels has coached at Norman North for the past several years, including the last eight as the associate head coach for the Norman North Girls. Beal played collegiate basketball at the University of Oklahoma.
“We’re thrilled to fill these three positions with exceptional coaches,” said NPS DIrector of Athletics T.D. O’Hara. “To get three coaches of this caliber and experience is amazing and for them to all have such strong Norman ties is truly remarkable. We are excited for each of these programs and the positive impact these individuals will have on their teams.”