School Board Gives Long a Raise
The GCISD School Board voted unanimously Jan. 11 to give School Superintendent Steve Long a raise to $68,000. Long began a two-year contract June 1, 2000 at an annual salary of $67,000. Board member Karla Hoelscher told Long, “We think you’re doing a great job.”
The board decided to keep the Junior-Senior Prom in the county, but will allow the prom to be held at sites off school property, subject to the superintendent’s approval. Some students had asked that they be allowed to hold the prom in Midland.
Campus Opens for Grades 9-12
After several months of a closed campus due to construction on State Highway 158 through Garden City, the board voted 5-2 to open the campus, but only for grades 9-12. Board members Tibby Niehues and Cecilia Schwartz voted against the motion, but for different reasons. Niehues, who has consistently opposed a closed campus, said she voted against the motion because she thinks the campus should once again be open for all secondary students, grades 7-12. Schwartz said she voted against the motion because she thinks the campus should remain closed for all students.
Tardiness Biggest Student Problem
The board spent considerable time discussing tardiness, which has apparently replaced gum-chewing as the secondary school’s number one problem with students. Finally, they decided to approve after-school detention as punishment for tardiness, hoping it will cure the problem as it apparently cured the gum-chewing one.
A textbook committee recommended by Elementary School Principal Brad Jones was approved. The committee will consist of Jones, Faith Scott, Teresa Eoff, Phyllis Bryne, Dana Cook, Jean Kujawski, Kenneth Chandler, Linda DeWitt, and Rebecca Moore.
Long reported problems with power surges at the school that “fried” the power supplies of 15 computers. He was conferring with TU Electric about the problem.