The superintendent of schools is the chief executive officer of the Board of Education and has charge of the administration of the schools under the direction of the Board of Education.  The job of the superintendent requires special knowledge, information, concepts, abilities and skills. The superintendent’s responsibilities apply in all areas of operation so the whole school system functions with balance and precision.

The superintendent keeps the Board of Education updated on instruction, budget, staff, student population, school plant and other district problems so members of the Board of Education may remain informed about school operation and problems. 

The superintendent also attends Board of Education meetings, prepares the agenda for all Board meetings, recommends consideration of new policies or changes to existing policies, evaluates school programs, recommends the hiring of personnel, reemployment, non-reemployment, termination, supervises the preparation and administration of the financial plan, recommends improvements and expansion of school facilities as needed, and informs the patrons and taxpayers of the district regarding school programs.

The associate and assistant superintendents serve the superintendent and works with all the departments, fulfilling many of the same duties as required by the superintendent.

Resources

• Long-Range Planning Committee
• 2021 Back-to-School Message
• 2022 Commencement Speech
• 2021 Commencement Speech
• 2020 Virtual Commencement Speech
• 2019 Commencement Speech
• Strategic Plan for 2014-2018
• Strategic Plan Update October 2020

Dr. Kirt Hartzler
Superintendent / Biography
Senior Executive Administrative Assistant: Jamie Ward

Sandi Calvin
Assistant Superintendent / Biography
Executive Administrative Assistant Karen Howard

Charlie Bushyhead,
Associate Superintendent / Biography
Executive Administrative Assistant Melissa Parton

John Federline
Assistant Superintendent / Biography
Executive Administrative Assistant Joey Bailey

Superintendent
Dr. Kirt Hartzler

Dr. Kirt Hartzler officially became Superintendent of Union Public Schools July 1, 2013, bringing to the position a rich institutional knowledge and a strong sense of pride for the “The Union Way,” rooted in his extensive teaching and administrative experience in the district. 

He started at Union in 1986 as a high school social science instructor. Through the years, he has coached, served as a high school assistant principal, the 8th Grade Center principal, and the director of Secondary Education. Dr. Hartzler was the assistant superintendent for Teaching and Learning from 2003 to 2010, and prior to becoming Superintendent, he was Union’s Deputy Superintendent. 

Dr. Hartzler is a passionate champion for all students and is firmly committed to ensuring that Union provides a high-quality, safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment.  He believes strongly in investing in early childhood education, community schools, early-college high school, virtual learning, and co-curricular activities that serve to foster greater relevance and school engagement.  Central to this investment is building partnerships within our community in order to support and enhance the lives of our students, staff, and community. Our continued success is incumbent upon the belief that, “Together We Make a Difference.”    A self-professed lifelong learner, Dr. Hartzler holds a bachelor’s degree from Evangel University and a master’s degree from Northeastern State University. His doctorate in educational administration is from Oklahoma State University. He has served as an adjunct instructor for the College of Education at both Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma – Tulsa.
 

He serves as a member of Northeastern State University President’s Advisor Council and holds board seats with Community Action Project, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, Tulsa and State Board of Directors for Junior Achievement, and the and the United Suburban Schools Association.  Dr. Hartzler was a member of Leadership Tulsa Class 36.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Area United Way.

Dr. Hartzler and his wife, Susan, have three children.  When not working or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, playing golf, and cycling. 

Associate Superintendent

Charlie Bushyhead

Charlie Bushyhead was named Associate Superintendent in June 2018.  He has been a strong advocate for providing all Union students the very best education regardless of their background and/or circumstance. His focus remains on the district mission of 100% Graduation, College and/or Career Ready.  He understands the mission cannot be accomplished without the support of the entire Union family including our employees, parents, students, patrons, and community partners.  He believes in the Union Way and the continued drive for excellence in all areas.

Prior to his current assignment, he served Union in the following roles: classroom teacher/coach, assistant principal, site principal, Executive Director for Secondary Education, and most recently Assistant Superintendent for Support Services.

Charlie graduated from Union High School and returned to teach and coach after receiving his bachelor’s degree in education from Oklahoma State University. He holds a master’s degree in school administration from Northeastern State University.

Charlie enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and teaching.  He is a member of Leadership Tulsa Class 41, Bible Fellowship teacher, adjunct instructor, Clifton StrengthsFinder Certified Coach, and volunteer for John 3:16 Mission.

Charlie and his wife, Stacy, have two children and two grandsons. His wife, youngest son, and daughter-in-law are all educators and his oldest son is in construction management. 

Assistant Superintendent

Sandi Calvin

Sandi Calvin was named Assistant Superintendent in January 2019 for Union Public Schools.

She served previously as Senior Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in 2018. She had also as executive director for Elementary Instruction. Previously, she served as principal for Moore Elementary School. She has been an educator for Union Public Schools for more than 25 years. 

She earned her bachelor of science in elementary education degree from Northeastern State University, and later from the same school, her master’s of science in education degree. 

Calvin is a member of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals, and National Association for the Education of Young Children. She serves on the board of directors for the Arthritis Foundation and is a member of Leadership Tulsa.  Her hobbies and interests include cooking, reading, exercise and family time. 

Assistant Superintendent
​​​​​​​John Federline

John Federline was named Assistant Superintendent in November 2021. Previously, Federline had served as executive director of Secondary Education since 2018.

As assistant superintendent, Federline will continue to lead secondary education. New responsibilities will include guiding the development of the district’s next five-year strategic plan and formulating the district’s next five-year bond issue that will take place in Spring 2023.

A lifelong student at Union (or “Union lifer,” as they are fondly referred to), Federline graduated from Union High School and obtained a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Oklahoma State University. He earned his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Oklahoma State University, and he is currently earning his Ed.D.

Federline’s career in education began at Bixby High School where he spent 12 years as a teacher and a coach. He came to Union as an assistant principal at the Intermediate High School in 2005 and moved to the High School in 2007. In 2011, he was named as the principal of the 9th Grade Center (now called the Union High School Freshman Academy), a position he held through spring 2018.