|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Azle ISD superintendent Dr. Ray Lea wants one thing clear – Azle ISD’s newly created athletic director’s job has not been filled.
Rumors notwithstanding.
But he expects to find that man or woman on a list of 30 candidates vying for the job, and he would like to be able to make a recommendation to the school board at its December meeting. The school board voted a month ago to create the AD position and begin taking applications to fill it. In February 2006, longtime athletic director Gene Phillips resigned to take a higher paying job in the San Antonio area. Instead of filling the position, the district decided to distribute its duties to a variety of newly created positions.
The director of student services position was created to oversee not only the athletic program but other areas like food service, transportation and drug testing. This position was also responsible for overseeing the work of three newly created “facilitators” who were hired to handle the day-to-day operations of the AD’s old position. Those part-time facilitator positions were filled by coaches and a band director already on staff. Lea believes the district’s athletic fortunes could get a much boost by hiring the “right person” to serve as the district’s AD full-time. “We just need to have a clear line of authority and communication to do what’s best for our athletes,” he said in a recent interview. “We need to know who’s in charge – and who they (coaches) need to report to.” A person with no other coaching responsibilities would be his preference, Lea said. He said he also wants a person with experience in a variety of different sports who can help the current coaching staff “grow and improve.” Lea doesn’t think the December timeframe is too difficult to meet. A special committee is already conducting interviews. He said his experience has led him to believe that the screening process can go relatively quick. “A lot of times, the top 6-7 or 8 candidates usually rise to the top,” he said. The goal is to come up with a top five, and then find a top candidate worthy of presenting to the board. Lea said he has received plenty of input from “both sides” regarding current staff members who might have applied for the job. “I’ve had calls from people who (insist) we go outside the district – others inside,” he said. But he’s not about to reveal his hand – not at this point in the process. “There’s going to be a difference of opinion,” he said. “We’re going to do our best to put the right person in place. “This is a very high-profile position – probably more than even the superintendent,” he said. |
