Rodney Norris takes athletic director position at Midwest Central
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[October 05, 2013]
MANITO -- It's that time of year when school
districts have their school year smoothly underway. That is the case
at Midwest Central. Located in Manito and Green Valley, Midwest
Central began the year with one less administrator and made related
changes in staff positions.
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The former high school assistant principal and athletic director,
Tim Turner, resigned in the spring to take a position at Pekin High
School. Tight budgets tend to force districts to look for creative
ways to meet the needs of their programs, and Midwest Central
ultimately made the decision to cut the assistant principal position
at the middle school. Eliminating a position created a domino effect
that involved moving four of the district's five remaining
administrators. Rodney Norris, who was already working in the
district as the primary school assistant principal, had an extensive
athletic background, including an athletic career on the collegiate
level, a former position as athletic director in another district
and experience officiating at athletic events since 2002. His
familiarity with the district, his athletic background and strong
technology skills made him the perfect fit for the vacancy.
Mr. Norris accepted the position of high school assistant
principal and athletic director and immediately began making
much-needed changes and upgrades to the athletic programs at Midwest
Central. The athletics home page was transformed to make it a more
parent- and community-friendly tool, with all sports schedules
updated and an option made available for registering to receive
automatic email alerts for cancellations and changes. Norris also
realized the need for a parent meeting and a manual for coaches.
Collectively, these upgrades improved communication and increased
the student athletic participation, two goals he had from the
beginning.
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He has made it his mission to actively encourage students to
participate in Midwest Central athletics. "Sometimes all a student
needs is a little encouragement to get involved," he said.
His long-term goal for the position is to continue improving
communication with parents and the community.
With Mr. Norris' move to the high school, joining the high school
principal, Mr. Jay Blair, additional transitions were made. Ms. Erin
Stone took the position of middle school principal in Green Valley,
with Mr. Jeff Thompson transferring to the primary school in Manito
as principal and Ms. Sara Porter as assistant principal and special
education coordinator there.
Superintendent Hellrigel said: "Our administrative team has
always been just that -- a team -- one that works well together with
the best interest of the students of this district always their
number one focus. "
For more information on the district and for access to the
athletics page,
visit
www.midwestcentral.org or find them on
Facebook.
[Text from file received from
Midwest Central High
School]
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