News (Media Awareness Project) - US TX: New Tulia Superintendent Ready To Tackle Challenges |
| Title: | US TX: New Tulia Superintendent Ready To Tackle Challenges |
| Published On: | 2001-05-18 |
| Source: | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-25 19:01:29 |
NEW TULIA SUPERINTENDENT READY TO TACKLE CHALLENGES
TULIA - Despite a drug testing policy that has given the school district
plenty of attention, Tulia native Ken Miller said he's up for new
challenges when he takes over as superintendent.
The former drug testing policy, which was mandatory for students in grades
seven through 12, was ruled unconstitutional and is in the appeals process.
The school district continues to test students, but only those in athletics
or who volunteer at the school.
The drug testing policy is something Miller said he will support.
"I think it can be an effective tool to deter drug use," Miller said. "No
one wants drugs in their school. That looks like a good way to prevent it."
Miller, 49, has been the superintendent for the Tarkington school district
in Cleveland - in southeastern Texas - for the last 14 years, he said Thursday.
Before taking over as superintendent, Miller was the assistant
superintendent in Tarkington. Prior to that, he was a middle school
principal there and a high school principal in Prosper.
The Tarkington school district is slightly larger than Tulia's, which has
about 1,240 students.
Miller said he hopes to "maintain and continue the good things that they
have right now" in Tulia. He said he will need time to review and study
current school policies before he decides if any changes need to be made.
He and his wife, Cherri, have a son and daughter, both in college.
Miller grew up in Tulia and graduated school there in 1969. He takes over
as Tulia's superintendent on July 1.
He will replace Mike Vinyard, who is retiring after 15 years as superintendent.
Vinyard's wife, Judy, also is retiring from the school district as a junior
high language arts teacher.
"We're going to move to the Fort Worth area to be near our children and
grandchildren," Vinyard said Thursday.
Vinyard said the school district is debt free, facilities have been
improved and student academics have improved over the years.
He was hesitant to offer advice to the incoming superintendent, but had
this to say: "He just needs to keep our teachers and students making
progress as they have been."
TULIA - Despite a drug testing policy that has given the school district
plenty of attention, Tulia native Ken Miller said he's up for new
challenges when he takes over as superintendent.
The former drug testing policy, which was mandatory for students in grades
seven through 12, was ruled unconstitutional and is in the appeals process.
The school district continues to test students, but only those in athletics
or who volunteer at the school.
The drug testing policy is something Miller said he will support.
"I think it can be an effective tool to deter drug use," Miller said. "No
one wants drugs in their school. That looks like a good way to prevent it."
Miller, 49, has been the superintendent for the Tarkington school district
in Cleveland - in southeastern Texas - for the last 14 years, he said Thursday.
Before taking over as superintendent, Miller was the assistant
superintendent in Tarkington. Prior to that, he was a middle school
principal there and a high school principal in Prosper.
The Tarkington school district is slightly larger than Tulia's, which has
about 1,240 students.
Miller said he hopes to "maintain and continue the good things that they
have right now" in Tulia. He said he will need time to review and study
current school policies before he decides if any changes need to be made.
He and his wife, Cherri, have a son and daughter, both in college.
Miller grew up in Tulia and graduated school there in 1969. He takes over
as Tulia's superintendent on July 1.
He will replace Mike Vinyard, who is retiring after 15 years as superintendent.
Vinyard's wife, Judy, also is retiring from the school district as a junior
high language arts teacher.
"We're going to move to the Fort Worth area to be near our children and
grandchildren," Vinyard said Thursday.
Vinyard said the school district is debt free, facilities have been
improved and student academics have improved over the years.
He was hesitant to offer advice to the incoming superintendent, but had
this to say: "He just needs to keep our teachers and students making
progress as they have been."
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