Holding back tears, Ira ISD Superintendent Jay Waller submitted his resignation during Thursday’s board of trustees meeting.
Reading from a letter to board president Dennis Taylor, Waller said the Ira board took a chance on him in 1999 as the agriculture science teacher. He was promoted to principal and since 2009 has served as superintendent.
“On behalf of the board of trustees, we want to thank Jay for everything he has done for this school district and community,” Taylor said.
Waller told the board his resignation letter was the hardest thing he ever had to write.
“In 1999, you took a chance on my family and myself,” Waller said, adding that he was drawn to Ira for its “sense of community.”
Waller will resign effective June 30 and told the board he was not looking to move to another position.
“I’m going to retire. I am not looking to move on,” he said. “I have the best job in the state. I have the best people to work with and work for.”
He told the board that he plans to spend more time with his family and on his ranch.
Taylor said Waller had to learn the superintendent’s job the hard way, replacing Larry Devitt following a financial scandal.
“It was a good learning experience,” Waller said.
Former board member Kirby Sterling was a trustee when Waller was hired in 1999. He said Waller was his recommendation for the agriculture science teacher from the beginning.
“Then he wanted to be a principal,” former board member Doug White said.
Former board president Shawn McCowen said he did not want to see Waller retire and appreciated his work for the community.
“He has always been all about the kids and school district,” McCowen said. “He is the fairest man I have ever known. He managed everyone and everything fairly.”
Chuck Barbee said “it is with a heavy heart I make a motion to accept Jay’s resignation.” The board approved the resignation unanimously.
During public comments, Skip Casey, of Casey, Cox and Robertson Education Consultants, talked about the superintendent opening. Because it was not on the agenda, the board did not discuss how to conduct the search.
“It is not reasonable for you to do this on your own,” Casey said. “We can get the information you want. We will work with you and will do what you want us to do.”
Casey, whose firm is conducting the Clyde ISD superintendent search, said the board should try to get someone in place by the end of the school year.
“This is a good time of year to get started,” he said. “I know you are looking for someone who will fit this community.”
Following a 30-minute closed session to discuss administrative assistant contracts, the board approved contracts for the 2017-18 school year for Principal Dale Jones, Business Manager Morgan Preston, Technology Director Dave Hanes and agriculture science teacher Leo Sellers. The motion did not include a salary increase for the administrators.
Megan Shultz was appointed by the board to replace McCowen. Waller said he would get information together for Shultz, including training on the Texas Open Meetings Act and Texas Public Information Act, prior to her being sworn in during the March meeting.
Shultz was not in attendance Thursday.
The board also approved the latest policy updates from the Texas Association of School Boards.