Correction
Last month, we mistakenly stated that Mike Meek had previously been relieved of his duties as coach and athletic director prior to resigning as math teacher in April. In fact, Meek had resigned as coach and athletic director in February. We regret the error.
GCISD Hires New Athletic Director
The GCISD school board hired Wade Wesley as the new athletic director and head football coach at its regular meeting May 15. The board also hired his wife Mickie as an elementary teacher.
Wesley is a 1989 graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in physical education and math. He is now the defensive coordinator at Pampa High School where he also assists with track.
After lengthy discussion, the board voted to go along with incoming superintendent Steve Long’s suggestion to keep the $6,000 stipend it pays above state base. There had been discussion of reducing the stipend for newly hired teachers. Long said the stipend will help to attract good teachers at a time when the state faces a huge teacher shortage. He said the district has a very good thing going with its teachers, and he would like to leave the stipend issue alone for now.
The board accepted the resignations of Sylvia McEntire, first grade, and Jamie Walker, elementary physical education.
Newly elected board members Tina Flores, Cecilia Schwartz and Brad Avery were sworn in, and the board reorganized itself by electing Jimmy Eggemeyer president, Mike Hillger vice-president and Tina Flores secretary.
The board held preliminary discussions regarding student handbook revisions to be decided at the June board meeting. Several items are to be discussed, including weighted academic averages, and looking at the way valedictorian and salutatorian are chosen, with weighting in mind.
How to time and organize the school day was a major topic of discussion. Board member Mike Hillger said we have no chance for distance learning if we can’t coordinate our spring break with other schools in the area. (Zachry says we are the only school in the district to plan our spring break around the Houston Livestock Show.)
After listening to a broad array of scheduling problems, board member Karla Hoelscher said, “I may start World War III, but could we consider starting school 15 to 30 minutes earlier?” She suggested polling the community. Hoelscher said lots of kids are at school by 8 a.m. anyway, and that kids learn better in the morning. Her idea brought immediate support from Elementary School Principal Dean Munn, who said, “ We could use the extra time in many ways, like UIL training, which now has to come from class time.”
Secondary School Principal Faith Scott agreed that her people also needed the extra time. She said, “Most of our kids are here by 8 a.m. anyway.” Zachry agreed, and noted that an earlier starting time might require extra bus runs on some routes.
Scott said additional academic requirements need to be in place for taking Advanced Placement courses. She said students need to work up to taking the AP courses, with things like summer reading programs which, among other things, build vocabulary.
Regarding cheerleading and twirling issues, Zachry said the number of cheerleaders was set years ago, and the student handbook is very specific regarding the selection process. Scott said the number of twirlers is a percentage of the number of band members, and this year, outside band directors ranked applicants, then selected the top three.
The board will consider handbook revisions and scheduling changes at its regular meeting June 19.
The board agreed there is no problem with high school summer league basketball using the gym, as long as there is adult supervision and they work around the 3 or so weeks in June necessary for the annual floor refinishing.