Officials Want New Director To Be Unifying Force

Officials created the position of district athletic director to bring uniformity and create a more streamlined chain of command to the district’s athletic department.

The Board of Education at and high schools and created the new position Thursday. The move is part of a district-wide .

Superintendent Ray Gonzalez said that officials’ desire to create more unity at the highest levels of authority in the district is what is driving the way the administrative structure is being examined and recreated.

“Having a district with 14 different schools, there exists great potential to have 14 different variations of teaching policy and you could have 14 different philosophies as to what makes a good teaching policy,” Gonzalez said.

The new person will report to the assistant superintendent.

Previously, the athletic directors reported to the principals of their respective schools who, in turn, report to the superintendent.

“We need to make sure that we have standardized practices across the board and when you had individuals who reported to the principals, who in turn report to the superintendent, we didn’t have that structure,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said the position for the salary has not been finalized.

“I’m looking to make sure that the decision regarding the salary is fiscally prudent and within our budget,” Gonzalez said.

Chris Olsen and Dan Kilday each earned more than $120,000 as athletic directors of Hills and Valley, respectively.

In addition to overseeing the athletic departments in both high schools, the person will work with athletic personnel in the district’s three middle schools.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Let Patch save you time. Get local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.
______________________________________________________________________________________

The person will develop an athletic handbook to communicate expectations, requirements, and other vital information pertaining to athletics.

Other duties will include:

• Coordination of school athletic schedules and the township’s recreation program with the director of parks and recreation.
• Recommendation of what groups and organizations may use fields and gymnasiums when school is in and not in session.
• Promoting high standards of ethical behavior fro coaches and student athletes that reflect positively on the district.

The person will also help create the athletic department’s budget, prepare a series of standard operating procedures to maximum the use of the budget, and develop a handbook to communicate expectations and participation to district athletes. (A copy of the job description of the position has been attached to this article.)

The board Olsen’s and Kilday’s contracts last month.

Olsen will return to coach the Hills football team and teach physical education next year. He will retire at the conclusion of the school year. It is not known if Kilday will return to coach the boys’ soccer team.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.