By Bill Oliver
Commerce, TX – The last item on Monday night's Commerce Board of Trustees meeting was not renewing the contracts of Trish King, Kathy Miller, and Joe Spinato past the 2007-2008 school year.
There was no discussion or explanation; only the motion, second, approving the motion by a seven to nothing vote, and calling the meeting adjourned. Supporters hugged King, Miller, and Spinato as they left the middle school library.
There was no prior warning from anyone of the recommendations from superintendent Keith Boles. It was revealed for the first time Monday night when the board opened the meeting to public comments.
There were three requests to extend the contracts of the high school administrators. Commerce High math teacher Casey Chaney gave the board a petition, supporting King, Spinato, and Miller. The petition included 40 of the approximately 50 high school teachers. Chaney praised the trio for assuming additional duties when a counselor's position was eliminated. Fellow teacher Jency Holbert told trustees "We are more than TAKS scores." And C-I-S-D retiree Sue Davis, who worked for five Commerce superintendents, questioned the timing of the personnel action. Several Commerce High students were also present.
Trustees returned from a 95 minute executive session to extend the contracts of other administrators, including the elementary and middle school principals and assistant principals before finishing the meeting by not extending the contracts of the Commerce High principal and assistant principals past the 07-08 school year.