by KIM HILSENBECK
Six Hays CISD elementary schools will have a different principal next school year, making it challenging to keep up with the staff shuffling decisions announced last week.
Hays CISD announced the following principal assignments for the 2013 – 2014 school year:
• Kristi Campbell will move from Tobias Elementary to Buda Elementary.
• Paige Collier will move from Hemphill Elementary to Tobias Elementary.
• Charla Salmeron will move from Buda Elementary to Negley Elementary.
• Chris Summers will move from Tom Green Elementary to Science Hall Elementary.
• Will Webber will move from Negley Elementary to Tom Green Elementary.
• Chapa Assistant Principal Julio Vela will be promoted to become the principal of Hemphill Elementary.
All other elementary principals will remain at their current campuses.
“We are fortunate in Hays CISD to have a talented pool of principals,” said Executive Director of Elementary School Performance Tim Persall. “These assignments complement the current strengths of each campus. This will be our starting line-up, if you will, for the next school year.”
For the past two school years, the district has implemented a comprehensive campus performance program called CES, or the Campus Excellence System. Using this data, along with interviews and discussions with principals, the decisions were made to pair some principals with different campuses. These changes will take place after this school year.
Hays CISD spokesperson Tim Savoy said the changes are not uncommon, especially with a district that has diverse campuses.
“Some of these principals are branching out, trying new things and building their experience level,” he said. “For others, the changes were recommended based on a variety of factors including last year’s community and employee survey results.”
Commenters on the Hays Free Press Facebook page offer congratulations and well wishes; others indicate they are skeptical of the change.
Hemphill Principal Paige Collier wrote a letter to the school community about her reassignment.
It said, in part, “I will miss Hemphill so much! Hemphill Elementary is the most special place I have ever known and I am privileged to have been a part of this family of learners. I walked into this school as a 22-year-old first-year teacher and I am leaving 13 years later. I am honored to have served the Hemphill students as a teacher, reading specialist, instructional strategist, assistant principal and principal.”
She continued, “This school is a place that everyone can be proud of and passionate about. We have built school pride and a solid foundation for our elementary learners.”
Collier ended her letter with, “It is my hope that Mr. Vela will receive your full support as parents. Together, you will prepare our students for lifelong learning. Many thanks for your support!”
Vela is the newest person to join the ranks of principal in Hays CISD. He is filling the opening left vacant by the retiring Dr. Angie Nelson, principal at Science Hall Elementary. Vela began his career in education as a classroom teacher at Levelland High School in 1999. In 2004 he was hired as an assistant elementary school principal in Plainview ISD. He has worked for Hays CISD since 2006 as the assistant principal at Chapa Middle School. He has also served as the Hays CISD summer school principal in past years.
What they’re saying on Facebook...
“Congratulations to Mr. Vela!” - Gretchen Klemme
“musical principals!!” - Jeanette Castillo Gonzalez
“Who is in charge in the admin building making these decisions since we don’t have a superintendent?” - Andrea Fiebelkorn
“Different people have different strengths. They may be switching principals due to the new schools needs. One person may retire or move resulting in other principals requesting changes. Many reasons for switching principals. Regardless, good luck to all!”- Gretchen Klemme
“Would be nice, as a parent, to have some input!”- Paul Deutsch
“Awww we loved Mr. Webber at Negley.”- Shanna Hammond
“I was just informed it has something to do with principal training...”- Crystal Rigg
“Not happy at all. I hate that Mrs. Campbell is leaving Tobias.” - Lori Bassford de Leon
