An ECISD selection committee forwarded a recommendation to Superintendent Hector Mendez recently in favor of an applicant for the district's vacant athletics coordinator position.

The committee, led by Steve Brown, ECISD assistant superintendent for secondary operations, interviewed four of eight applicants for the administrative job that could pay anywhere from $56,667 to $82,394.

When contacted Tuesday afternoon, Brown confirmed the four interviews took place and acknowledged a recommendation has been made to Mendez, but he wouldn't say who's being recommended.

"That's still something (Mendez's) contemplating," Brown said. "We'll have to review with the board."

ECISD Communications Director Mike Adkins said the committee interviewed four finalists May 13, but it was unclear when the recommendation to Mendez was made.

The Odessa American has submitted a Freedom of Information request for the recommendation.

Brown said through Adkins that a decision could be made sometime within the first two weeks in June.

Mendez said last week that the Ector County Independent School District's board of trustees approved the athletics coordinator position a few years ago.

"It's been vacant for a while," he said.

Earlier this school year, the district enlisted the help of a consultant to help in the district's athletics department.

In November, Mendez hired former Permian head football coach and athletic director John Wilkins to assist athletic director Leon Fuller and Permian head coach Darren Allman in the decision-making process of scheduling sites for the playoff games.

In addition, former interim athletic director Don Wright worked part-time in the athletics department to help Fuller with daily operations and the West Texas Relays.

THE LIST

Four applicants were interviewed for the athletic coordinator position:

>> Todd Vesely, Permian gymnastics coach.

>> Susan Nix, ECISD science, health and PE coordinator.

>> Linda McMillan, OHS volleyball coach.

>> Nancy Surber, Midland ISD assistant athletic director and PE coordinator.

>> Other applicants included Pamela Ryan, Tracey Borchardt, Donald Wright and Luther Justus.

>> The selection committee members are: chairman Steve Brown, Randy Talley, Brian Moersch, Wendy Hines, Alma Guerrero, Leon Fuller and Ron Davis.