Meeks, Munn Resign from GCISD
Meeting in regular session April 17, The GCISD School Board learned that Superintendent Charles Zachry had previously accepted resignations from Mike Meek, Stacy Meek and Dean Munn. M. Meek, who earlier resigned from his duties as athletic director and head football coach, resigned his position as secondary school math teacher. S. Meek has been an elementary school teacher. Munn has been the elementary school principal for the past three years. Zachry said he anticipates more resignations, but to date, no others are official. He said that until around July 1, teachers can resign without having the district’s permission.
Zachry said he has posted the elementary principal’s job on a state education web site, and applications for the job have just started to come in. He said he has had “a world of applications” for the athletic director’s job.
Regarding enrollment, Munn reported a loss of 5 more students, to 165 (K-6); Pre-K 10, and EE, 2, for a total of 177. Secondary Principal Faith Scott reported a total enrollment of 158, down 3 from last month, making a K-12 total of 323. Zachry said the school had an enrollment of 430 at one time, without counting Pre-K.
In closed session, the board discussed instructional and administrative personnel and the athletic director’s position, but took no action.
At newly hired superintendent Steve Long’s suggestion, the board discussed the possibility of reducing the $6,000 stipend that the district pays teachers above the state base salary. Long said any reduction would affect only newly hired personnel, not current employees. In an unofficial “straw vote,” five board members were in favor of reducing the stipends, and two said they were undecided. But while stipend reductions would save the school money, Zachry said that eliminating positions was the only way to make large reductions in salary costs. He said the board might be able to reduce the number of teachers in the elementary school.
Zachry said he has no written estimate of storm damages to school property caused by violent weather last month, but a verbal estimate from the insurance adjuster put the damages above $200,000, not including damages to vehicles. He said the damages were mostly from hail, and included roofs on school buildings, teachers’ houses, air conditioning units, etc.