Story provided by Stillwater Public Schools
The Stillwater Board of Education (SBOE) has appointed Rachel Dillin to fill a recently vacated school board seat. In November, long-time SBOE Ward 1 Board Member Camille DeYong stepped down from the organization, citing personal reasons. Dillin was selected from three applicants, all of whom were interviewed, for the vacant position in a special Board of Education meeting on December 11.
“I felt like it was my time to be the one to step up and serve,” says Dillin of her reasons for applying. “I also love Stillwater Schools. My son graduated from SHS, my daughter is a sophomore, and I want to make sure the district stays on the good path that it is on.”
“This is a large and diverse district with lots of students from different backgrounds,” the new board member says. “That offers lots of opportunities for our students to learn and grow.” Dillin says bond issue projects, including the new high school, are exciting priorities and looks forward to working to ensure that all students have a safe place to learn.
Of her fellow board members, Dillin says, “They’ve all been really nice. I have known them or known of them during my time in Stillwater and look forward to getting to know them better. I think they are doing a good job, and I’m excited to join them in serving the families of Stillwater.”
Dillin currently works as Managing Editor for Soap Hub, a news and commentary site for fans of soap operas. She has extensive writing, editing, marketing, and social media experience and has worked for numerous media outlets as an employee, freelancer, and contractor. She has worked for Oklahoma State University as both an Honor College academic advisor and a technical writer for Environmental Science. She is a founding member of the WorkIT coworking center in downtown Stillwater and a member of the Wildly Brave Dance company.
After graduating from Konawa High School, Dillin attended East Central University, where she received a Bachelors of Arts degree in English with honors. In 2000, she moved to Stillwater where she completed graduate coursework in technical writing at Oklahoma State University.
With her husband Kent, she has two children who have attended Stillwater Public Schools since Pre-K. Her older child is recent SHS alum Joshua who now attends OSU. Her younger child Audrey is a current Stillwater High School Pioneer. Dillin feels having experienced every level of SPS with her children and having a current student will be of benefit to her as a board member.
Board President Tim Riley says, “We were thrilled to have multiple candidates step forward with the willingness to serve the district and the community. After a series of very good interviews, and thorough discussion, we were excited to select Mrs. Dillin to represent Ward 1.”
Dillin was sworn in at a December 12 Board of Education meeting. Because the position was vacated in the last half of its term, she will serve until an open election in 2026.