Teachers Get State Salary Increase
The GCISD board on July 10 approved a state raise in teachers’ salaries of $2,000 plus a $500 insurance allowance. Superintendent Steve Long said the state is supposed to provide funding for the increase. GCISD teachers are paid $6,000 above state base, and Long said that differential will not change with the new state increase.
The board voted to hire Joseph Sanchez as an English teacher and coach; Cary Hanson as band director and accepted the resignation of Josh Fee (English teacher/coach). See profiles below.
Trustees approved both elementary and secondary school student handbooks and the faculty handbook for the coming year. School Principal Ken Hoskins, Assistant Principal Randy Gartman and Counselor Krista Hughes prepared the handbooks. There are some changes in the secondary student book and the faculty handbook was updated to reflect these.
Detention after school rather than during school will be used this year on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays as needed. Hoskins said kids need to be in class during school hours. Cell phones must be out of sight and turned off. Parents and students are advised to read the handbooks carefully to be aware of changes.
The board approved bids for numerous items such as fuels, supplies, services, and insurance. A complete listing is available in the superintendent’s office. Most of these costs were increased from the previous year, largely due to fuel prices, according to Long.
In its annual reorganization, the board chose Karla Hoelscher, president, Tibby Niehues, vice-president and Andy Wheeler, secretary.