roger thompsonSen. Roger Thompson has been named Rural Legislator of the Year by an organization that advocates for rural schools.  The Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools (OROS) was formed in 1984 and represents 330 school districts and over 400 individual schools across the state. Funding and the opposition of forced consolidation of school districts are among the issues OROS has prioritized for rural education.
“I am extremely honored and grateful for this award.  As a legislator, a businessman, a father and grandfather, I know first-hand how important our rural schools are to our local communities—they’re our heart and soul,” said Thompson, R-Okemah. 
Thompson will be honored at the OROS annual awards banquet to be held on October 25 in Shawnee, which takes place in conjunction with the organization’s fall conference.
“The success of our children, our communities and our state is directly tied to the success of our rural schools.  I believe in their mission and understand the importance of providing the resources and legislative support they need. I’ve always fought for our rural schools and for education in Oklahoma and I always will,” Thompson said.