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JOHNSONCOUNTYObserver.com News of interest to the residents of Johnson County, Texas
VOLUME 02 | NUMBER 04
APRIL 13, 2017
JOHNSON COUNTY, TEXAS
Heath DENIES Coach Merket
Dr Kyle Heath DENIES Coach Merket’s written request to conduct his son’s college signing. Dr Heath does grant Coach Merket permission to attend the signing ceremony and graduation! Coach Merket’s written request asked to conduct the college signing ceremony as he has for other football students and to attend all of Braden’s senior activities. In a press release of April 6, 2017 it is stated Officials at the Cleburne Independent School District have responded to a written request from Jeff Merket, made through his attorney, that he attend his son’s Letter of Intent college signing, and graduation exercises later this year. Merket was put on paid administrative leave from his positions as head football coach and assistant athletic director after he announced his resignation in a letter critical of the school administration. District protocol doesn’t include access to campus or district facilities for employees who have been placed on paid leave, but does take into account the fact that they may have children attending district schools. A written request may be made to the superintendent requesting attendance at school function or access to the campus as a parent, but not in their capacity as a CISD employee. “The signing of a Letter of Intent for competition at the college level, and the graduation from high school are important milestones in a young person’s life and we want Mr. Merket to be there with his family to celebrate his son’s achievements,” Superintendent Dr. Kyle Heath said. “However, Mr. Merket cannot conduct the college signing ceremony because he is on administrative leave. We will address the issues he has raised concerning his employment at an appropriate place and time.” Coach Merket submitted his resignation letter on March 8th and it was accepted by Superintendent Heath within an hour of submitting the letter of resignation. However, on March 10th Coach Merket received a text from AD Walker saying Dr. Heath ”has put you on administrative leave.” When questioned why he was being put on administrative leave AD Walker replied “according to DFBA Local Policy- Dr Heath has placed you on leave with pay”. A month later still no reason given why he was put on administrative leave. According to Cleburne’s ISD policy DFBA
(local) Term Contracts, Suspension/Termination during contract reads as follows: Suspension with Pay: A term contract employee may be suspended with pay or placed on administrative leave by the superintendent during an investigation of alleged misconduct by the employee or at any time the Superintendent determines that the District’s best interest will
be served by the suspension or administrative leave. Administrative leaves are commonly used when an entity is investigating a person’s actions to keep property and other personnel safe. At the conclusion of the investigation they are either reinstated or terminated. End of story! There appears to be no investigation on going
INSIDE Historic Downtown Cleburne
4&5
Johnson Co. Historical Marker Keene Chronicle
7
9 & 10
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817-229-1995 Coach Jeff Merket and Braden Merket
Could This Be In Cleburne’s Future
SAVE the DATE GROUND BREAKING CERMONIES Cleburne High School/Renovation Project May 6th 10am
DFW Area Superintendant Salaries
or contemplated concerning Coach Merket’s conduct. The question that is being asked in the community is why does the district put a person on administrative leave with pay when that person has already resigned effective June 30th?
The Garland school paid $448,115 to part ways with Superintendent Bob Morrison, whose resignation and retirement were announced on December 23, 2016. The settlement represents a year’s salary, benefits and an amount for Morrison to purchase out-of-state service years for his retirement purposes. Morrison, 53, spent more than three years in Garland and a decade in Mansfield ISD.
District Name
Superintendent
Contract Salary
Student Enrollment
GRAND PRAIRIE ISD
SIMPSON, SUSAN J
$360,795.00
29,000
DALLAS ISD
HINOJOSA, ELIU M
$335,000.00
160,000
GARLAND ISD
MORRISON, BOBBY LEE
$332,800.00
58,000
FORT WORTH ISD
SCRIBNER, KENT P
$330,000.00
86,000
HIGHLAND PARK ISD
TRIGG, THOMAS C
$320,000.00
8,000
CARROLL ISD
FALTYS, DAVID J
$319,058.17
8,000
PLANO ISD
BINGGELI, BRIAN THOMAS
$305,409.00
55,000
ARLINGTON ISD
CAVAZOS, JOSE MARCELO
$289,571.00
63,000
MESQUITE ISD
VROONLAND, DAVID
$288,400.00
40,000
RICHARDSON ISD
WAGGONER, KAY E
$285,000.00
39,000
CLEBURNE ISD
HEATH, KYLE
$219,093.00
6,600