Over 2,000 Employees Kick-off the 2010-2011 School Year at District Convocation

All EM-S ISD offices and campuses were closed Monday morning so all 2,068 District employees could participate in the 2010-2011 Convocation ceremonies, held in the Saginaw High School gymnasium. This year's theme was Better by the Minute.

Convocation is the only time in the year that all employees get together under one roof. "Convocation is like a big pep rally for all of the employees. It is a time for us to celebrate and kick-off the new school year," said Kristin Courtney, Director of Communications. Interim Superintendent, Weldon Hafley, set the stage for this next year by talking about what Better by the Minute means. Hafley said, "Today, we are here to celebrate our achievements and to cast a vision for the future success of our District. Our Convocation theme is Better by the Minute. Although investing quality time does bring good results, "better" isn't always about data, or improved test scores. "Better" is also about who and what we become in the process."

Employees played games like the TV show, "Minute to Win It" and the winner won a Flip video camera donated by Troxell Communications. The EECU prize blimp circled the crowd and dropped prizes. Troxell Communications also provided Flip cameras for seven other lucky winners.

Board President Dick Elkins spoke and made the popular announcement that everyone was getting a raise. The Board approved a 2% raise for all employees at the July Board meeting. He also spoke of the Board's confidence in the Interim Superintendent and talked about the process for hiring the next Superintendent for the District. He said that the Board hopes to have a new Superintendent in place by the beginning of January.

"I speak for all of your Board members when I say that we are extremely proud to be a part of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD. I am excited about our forward direction and what this upcoming year holds. You are in great hands with Mr. Hafley leading the way and we, as a Board, have full confidence in him and are thankful that he has agreed to serve as our Interim Superintendent," Elkins said.

Convocation wrapped up with a video that reminded employees that they succeed when students succeed and that they can do far more united as a team than they can do on their own. Employees had district in-service training Monday afternoon and Tuesday and are scheduled for campus inservice training the rest of the week.