|
Ballard named sole finalist
By Mary Madewell
Published September 26, 2009
PATTONVILLE — Prairiland Independent School District trustees Friday named high school principal Jeff Ballard the lone finalist in the district’s search to replace retiring Superintendent James Morton.
According to law, the board must wait 21 days before finalizing the decision and offering a contract.
“I am honored that the school board had the confidence in me to lead this school district,” Ballard said Saturday. “Prairiland is a great school district. We have a wonderful faculty and staff, the best students around and great community support.”
Ballard said he realizes he will have “tremendous” responsibilities.
“I want to continue the collaborative atmosphere to move our district to exemplary status,” Ballard said. “I have big shoes to fill in James Morton, who has been very supportive; and, I wish him the best as he moves into retirement.”
Morton said Saturday the Friday meeting was brief, Trustees interviewed candidiates at a meeting earlier in the week.
Morton declined comment on the board’s decision, saying he had rather wait until after the 21 days when the decision is final. Three applicants applied for the position — all from within the district.
“The board did not open the position to those outside the district,” Morton said.
Attempts to reach PISD Board President Johnny Patterson were unsuccessful, but trustee Michael Sessums said late Friday the board decision was unanimous.
A 1983 Prairiland High School graduate, Ballard has served as high school principal since July 2001. He served a short stint (March-May 2001) as Deport Elementary and Junior High principal. He began at Prairiland in 1993 as a high school biology teacher and physical education instructor. He coached varsity girls baskeball in 1994, served as assistant volleyball coach in 1994 and 1995 and was head track coach.
Following graduation in 1987 from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University — Commerce, Ballard taught and coached at Chisum ISD one year and then moved to Detroit as head girls basketball, volleyball and track coach until taking a position at his alma mater. He holds a Master of Education in adminstration from Texas A&M — Commerce, which he obtained in 2001.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
 |
|
|
