Your Essential Guide to the Norman Election: Meet NPS Board of Education Candidates Tina Floyd and Tori Collier for Office 5

Editor’s note: OU Daily conducts background checks on all candidates in elections. The coverage considers case details, the timing of incidents, and the overall record. All city elections in Norman are nonpartisan; party affiliations are only noted if candidates declare them.

To win the February 11 election, a candidate needs more than 50% of the votes. If no candidate achieves this, the top two will face off in a runoff on April 1. The elected candidate will be sworn in on April 14 for a five-year term.

Incumbent Tina Floyd, the current school board president, will compete against Tori Collier, a special education advocate, for the Office 5 seat on the Norman Public Schools Board of Education.

Tina Floyd: Background and Goals

Tina Floyd is a lifelong resident of Oklahoma and a mother of four. Two of her children have attended Norman Public Schools (NPS). She joined the board in 2023 after being appointed to replace a resigning member and became president in April 2024.

Tina and her husband own Spark Softball, a professional softball team in Oklahoma City, since July 2022. She has impressive academic credentials, with multiple degrees in education and leadership from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, OU, and Southern Nazarene University.

Focus on Teachers and Mental Health

With 22 years of teaching experience, Tina’s top priority is supporting teachers. She recognizes the hard work educators do and aims to give credit where it’s due. “It’s tough to celebrate every teacher in a district this large,” she said. To address this, Tina plans to visit classrooms more often to better understand teachers’ experiences.

She believes it’s essential to alleviate the burdens teachers face. “We need to lighten their load,” she mentioned, proposing activities like reading to younger students during school hours.

Tina also emphasizes the importance of mental health in schools. This year, NPS has implemented more mental health resources than ever, thanks to a $6.5 million federal grant aimed at improving mental health services over five years.

“We can’t have too many mental health safeguards,” Tina stated, highlighting the need for support for both students and staff.

Tori Collier: Background and Advocacy

Tori Collier is a dedicated advocate for special education and has lived in Norman for 26 years. A mother of three, Tori currently works as a community consultant at the Evolution Foundation and formerly served in various roles related to mental health and public health in Oklahoma.

Her commitment to educational equity stems from her experiences with her eldest son, who has autism. “He inspires me to fight for equality in education,” Tori shared. She has engaged with advocacy programs and wants to improve special education offerings within NPS.

Priorities on Education Equity and Mental Health

Tori wants to ensure that resources for students with special needs are comprehensive and effective. She plans to evaluate existing programs, identify gaps, and find actionable solutions. “It’s about asking, ‘Where can we do better?’” she said.

Her experience at the Department of Mental Health has shaped her views on mental health in schools. “Mental health is as crucial as physical health,” she insisted. Tori envisions implementing resources like school psychologists and student-led mental health clubs to foster a supportive environment.

“We need to push just as hard for mental health resources as we do for safety measures,” Tori concluded, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health in schools.