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Search for AD to begin in spring
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MONROE - The search for the next permanent Monroe High School athletic director will get kick-started later this spring and the position could have some new job duties, according to a school official.

Monroe High School Principal Chris Medenwaldt said the district would post and open up the athletic director position in late March or early April to prospective candidates to apply for the position.

There will be a two- to three-week window for candidates to apply. Medenwaldt said the district will then take one to two weeks to evaluate applicants before setting up interviews.

"There may be some additional organizational duties like attendance and truancy, but that has yet to be determined," Medenwaldt said. "We will conduct it like any other search. We plan to hire the person best fit for the job."

The school board named Jeff Newcomer the interim athletic director. Medenwaldt said Newcomer will not help with the full-time athletic director search, but he will help with the search for a new football coach, a position left vacant after Curt Miller resigned just after the fall season ended.

The athletic director position is a full-time, salaried position that is responsible for scheduling games, officials and transportation for high school sports teams. The post in previous years had some teaching responsibilities attached to the position. It's still unknown if the district will continue to have the athletic director also serve as a teacher.

Former MHS Athletic Director Dave Hirsbrunner resigned from the position Nov. 30 after he had been placed on administrative leave Nov. 6.

While the district remains mum on the exact circumstances surrounding the action against Hirsbrunner, the separation agreement released after Hirsbrunner's resignation confirmed he was placed on administrative leave as the district began looking into the handling of athletic program money.

Hirsbrunner paid the district $6,390 as part of the agreement when he resigned. No charges have been filed against him in relation to the incident.

While he wouldn't discuss details surrounding Hirsbrunner, Medenwaldt said the district has made some changes in how athletic funds are handled.

"There will be a few more people involved in the process," Medenwaldt said, but he declined to elaborate on the new process or who else would be required to help.

Medenwaldt said the athletic director's salary will be determined by experience and credentials. When asked how much the district has budgeted next year for an athletic director, Medenwaldt declined to say.

"I can tell you we will not be paying someone $90,000," he said. "We don't have a set pay for it."

Hirsbrunner would have made almost $77,000 this year for his duties as athletic director and as a special education teacher. The district estimated 85 percent of Hirsbrunner's time was allotted to being athletic director.

Medenwaldt said he is looking for several qualities in the next athletic director.

"The No. 1 thing is we are looking for organization," he said. "We are also looking for someone to build relationships with students, the staff and community. We also want someone who can help with problem-solving with the department."