Anew athletic director was hired to replace outgoing A.D. Todd Goolsby, and school lunch prices were increased at a special Thursday morning meeting last week.
Newcastle School Board members unanimously approved Brent Hodges, who has been the coach for girls basketball at Moore Public Schools, as the new athletic director.
Superintendent Dr. Cathy Walker said Hodges is excited to be the new AD, and he and his family plan to move here. As well, his kids are ready to attend Newcastle Public Schools.
Hodges and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for six years. Their children are Lizzie, 4, and Sadie, 2.
Hodges began working at Newcastle on Monday.
Hodges was chosen from nine applicants, according to Walker. She said he stood out from the other applicants because he brings Class 6A experience with him, and he will be helping transition Newcastle into Class 5A in athletics.
Walker said, “I look forward to Mr. Hodges’ leadership as we continue to grow as a district.”
Breakfast, lunch prices increase
Rising food and labor costs have resulted in an increase for prices on meals at Newcastle Schools. Assistant Superintendent Kristi Ferguson told the school board she had discussed the increases with the Child Nutrition Manager, and the meal prices needed to be raised.
Student meals were increased by 15 cents. Breakfast went from $1.65 to $1.80, while lunch at the elementary school went from $2.85 to $3, and secondary lunches went from $3.10 to $3.25.
Ferguson said the prices are in line with other area schools including Bridge Creek, Norman, Tuttle and Blanchard. They are also below the target lunch price set by the USDA, which is $3.56.
Adult meal increases are the following: breakfast from $2.30 to $2.45, and lunch from $4.85 to $5.
In other school news, for the first time possibly in school history, negotiations with the Newcastle Association of Classroom Teachers (NACT) was completed before the start of school, Ferguson said. She added that this is because of efforts by Dr. Walker.
Minor changes were made in the NACT agreement. Article 4 was changed from stating that copies of the board meeting agenda would be provided the Thursday before the meeting to stating the board meeting agenda will be posted on the school’s website 24 hours before a regular meeting.
