The Española School District is interviewing eight applicants this week for the vacant position of athletic director.
The eight candidates are former Española Valley athletic director Theresa Flores, Capital High School Athletic Manager Joe Moulton and former Gallup athletic director (and McCurdy graduate) Ryan Cordova, along with David Lucero, Craig DeYoung, Gil Gonzales, Gregory Mares and Gary Thompson.
The requirements for the position include a Master’s degree and an administrator’s license from the state Education Department. The applicant should have experience both as an administrator and a teacher, District Superintendent David Cockerham said.
Interviews will be conducted by a seven-member committee led by Española Valley High School principal Bruce Hopmeier, Cockerham said.
The other members of the committee will be outgoing Athletic Director Dave Fontaine, Española Valley High School teacher and softball coach Robbie Garcia, Española Middle School coach Patrick Archuleta, Reuben Archuleta, who was on the committee to select the athletic director at Northern New Mexico College, Española parent Chris Roybal and New Mexico Activities Association Associate Director Mario Martinez.
The Committee will interview the candidates and make its recommendation to District Assistant Superintendent Dorothy Sanchez and Cockerham. Cockerham, who has final hiring authority, said he always abides by the recommendation of the committee.
The new athletic director’s salary will be between $50,000 and $75,000, dependent upon the person’s experience, Cockerham said.
The athletic manager’s position, similar to the athletic director’s position, has recently been eliminated at Santa Fe High School and Capital High School to save money. Cockerham said that possibility has not been discussed in the District.