mistanice
06-17-2008, 10:41 PM
Head Coach Gary Martel was named the lone finalist for Diboll schools superintendent after a special school board meeting Monday night. After a required by-law 21 day waiting period, Martel will take over the position.
"I'm ecstatic and excited," Martel said of the new job. "This is an area" -- of his career - "I wanted to be in one day. I just didn't think it would happen this fast."
Board President Trey Wilkerson said Martel possesses to strengths the board valued highly, good communications skills and familiarity with the district, plus "he's shown leadership in previous positions," Wilkerson said.
Martel is more than just a coach, said the board president. "He's served as an administrator. He was a good teacher in this district" before departing for Anahuac for six years. Martel returned to Diboll in 2006.
The vote to hire Martel was 5-0 with two abstentions, Wilkerson said. Andrea Swor and Ronnie Coleman felt they had too many potential conflicts of interest to vote.
"I came back here because I love it," Martel said of Diboll. He and his wife love being in the community, he said.
Jacob Sherman will continue as interim superintendent until the waiting period is over, Wilkerson said. The board had the option of naming Martel as interim but decided keeping Sherman would provide time for Martel to prepare.
Martel said looking for a replacement for himself as coach and athletic director will be "one of the first things on the agenda" when he takes over. "I think a number of people who are highly qualified" are interested in the post. He said he probably will open up the position to applicants and evaluate at that point.
"We're going to move forward and get some stability," Martel said. "That's what we want."
Former Superintendent Brent Hawkins had made curriculum reform a major emphasis. Martel said he was involved in that and believes Diboll now has a great curriculum "and we've got great vehicles for delivering it - our teachers."
"What's important right now is to stay the course," he said, with no immediate shake-up but a thorough evaluation of all aspects of the districts.
The number one thing, he said, "there's 2,000 people looking for some leadership, 1,800 students and 200 employees."
He thanked the school board, calling the seven members dedicated to improving the district. He and the board "want a relationship of trust throughout the district," he said.
"I've got a great community," he said. "I know them and they know me."
Martel is a graduate of Lamar University, where he played football, and holds a master's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is one course away from having his superintendent's certification from the state.
Martel has compiled 9-1 regular season records the last two football seasons since returning from Anahuac, tying for the district title in 2006. The Lumberjacks have not gotten out of the first round of the playoffs in his tenure. He is 51-32 in nine years as a head coach.
His primary goal, he said, is to make Diboll excellent in academics as well as athletics.
"I will work myself ragged to make this the district of choice."
www.dibollfreepress.com
Can't wait to see who the next coach will be.
"I'm ecstatic and excited," Martel said of the new job. "This is an area" -- of his career - "I wanted to be in one day. I just didn't think it would happen this fast."
Board President Trey Wilkerson said Martel possesses to strengths the board valued highly, good communications skills and familiarity with the district, plus "he's shown leadership in previous positions," Wilkerson said.
Martel is more than just a coach, said the board president. "He's served as an administrator. He was a good teacher in this district" before departing for Anahuac for six years. Martel returned to Diboll in 2006.
The vote to hire Martel was 5-0 with two abstentions, Wilkerson said. Andrea Swor and Ronnie Coleman felt they had too many potential conflicts of interest to vote.
"I came back here because I love it," Martel said of Diboll. He and his wife love being in the community, he said.
Jacob Sherman will continue as interim superintendent until the waiting period is over, Wilkerson said. The board had the option of naming Martel as interim but decided keeping Sherman would provide time for Martel to prepare.
Martel said looking for a replacement for himself as coach and athletic director will be "one of the first things on the agenda" when he takes over. "I think a number of people who are highly qualified" are interested in the post. He said he probably will open up the position to applicants and evaluate at that point.
"We're going to move forward and get some stability," Martel said. "That's what we want."
Former Superintendent Brent Hawkins had made curriculum reform a major emphasis. Martel said he was involved in that and believes Diboll now has a great curriculum "and we've got great vehicles for delivering it - our teachers."
"What's important right now is to stay the course," he said, with no immediate shake-up but a thorough evaluation of all aspects of the districts.
The number one thing, he said, "there's 2,000 people looking for some leadership, 1,800 students and 200 employees."
He thanked the school board, calling the seven members dedicated to improving the district. He and the board "want a relationship of trust throughout the district," he said.
"I've got a great community," he said. "I know them and they know me."
Martel is a graduate of Lamar University, where he played football, and holds a master's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is one course away from having his superintendent's certification from the state.
Martel has compiled 9-1 regular season records the last two football seasons since returning from Anahuac, tying for the district title in 2006. The Lumberjacks have not gotten out of the first round of the playoffs in his tenure. He is 51-32 in nine years as a head coach.
His primary goal, he said, is to make Diboll excellent in academics as well as athletics.
"I will work myself ragged to make this the district of choice."
www.dibollfreepress.com
Can't wait to see who the next coach will be.