Leadership change at Oklahoma School for the Blind

OKLAHOMA CITY – Principal Brent Pearce will begin serving Aug. 23 as Interim Superintendent for the Oklahoma School for the Blind.

OSB is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Rita Echelle was hired in Aug. 2016 as the Oklahoma School for the Blind superintendent. She will retire effective Nov. 1.

“Superintendent Rita Echelle announced her impending retirement for Nov. 1, 2024.  I want to thank Superintendent Echelle for her eight years of commitment to our Oklahoma School for the Blind.  I wish her well,” Melinda Fruendt, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services executive director, said.

“OSB’s High School Principal Brent Pearce is the Interim Superintendent.  I want to thank him for agreeing to include this role along with being the High School Principal.” 

It is a huge undertaking, but he had no hesitation.  I appreciate his willingness to step up to this role and trust the school personnel and students are in good hands, Fruendt said.

The Oklahoma School for the Blind is fully accredited and teaches state-mandated education requirements and specialized skills that help students live independently. In 2022-23, 86 students were enrolled as day or residential students. The graduation rate from the residential and commuter program was 100 percent. OSB also provides thousands of free outreach services each year for students who attend local public schools, their families and educators.

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