Published: May 02, 2008 05:57 pm            

Poolville ISD chief to retire

Crystal McCoy

cmccoy@weatherforddemocrat.com



Poolville Superintendent Terry Hamilton is preparing to hand over the reigns of the school district to High School Principal Jimmie Dobbs as his retirement draws closer.



June 31 marks Hamilton’s last day of a educational career spanning four decades. Dobbs will take over as the new superintendent July 1.



Hamilton grew up in Mineral Wells and attended Weatherford College, the University of Texas at Austin, East Texas State University, Tarleton State University and the University of Texas at Arlington.



His career began as a coach in Lewisville ISD. He then moved on to Princeton, Andrews, Millsap, Mineral Wells, Springtown, Brock and Poolville ISDs. It was in Millsap that he moved into an administrative role as the head football coach.



The last 17 years of his career has been in various administrative roles from the Millsap principal, Brock Junior High Principal and then Poolville Superintendent.



He said he has enjoyed working in the smaller districts the most.



“I relate better,” Hamilton said. “I see the challenges a small district has and I think some of my skills work well in a small district. ... We are more like a family. It is a very enjoyable place to work. We just enjoy helping students and that’s why a lot of great teachers are in small schools. The larger schools are more like a system. They have to run their schools in a different way. Maybe that’s one of the things that attracted me to a small school. It’s more flexible. It may not pay as good, but we get it inside rather than in that bank account.”



Dobbs, the upcoming superintendent, grew up in and graduated from Poolville. Hamilton said this job opening is a great opportunity for someone like Dobbs who has a “deep care for the students and the community.”



“I think the board made a good choice in hiring Jimmie for this position,” Hamilton said. “Our transition is going to be very smooth. He’s had a chance to learn some of the different aspects of the superintendency over the last five months.”



Dobbs started his teaching career in Poolville as a math and computer science teacher from 1990 to 1997. He then went to Peaster for five years teaching the same subjects, and then came to Poolville to serve as the junior high principal for three years and the high school principal for three years.



“I feel like Mr. Hamilton gave me an opportunity to get into administration,” Dobbs said. “He has been a great teacher the last six years and has really helped me with my career. As far as him retiring, it’s been great working with him and for him. He has been helping me along the way this last year getting ready for the Superintendency.”



Neither Hamilton or Dobbs ever envisioned going into administration when they first started out their careers, but said once they did move into that area the superintendent position was the goal to reach.



“I’m very sentimental about leaving the classroom,” Dobbs said. “But I’m ready to further my career and to move up the ladder. I’m very ambitious.”



Dobbs said he would like to stay in Poolville until the time comes for him to retire. During that time he said “I want to be able to keep the great teachers and staff members. To provide a stable and enjoyable place to work. To focus on the kids and do what we can to provide them with every opportunity we can to be successful.”



Hamilton and his wife, Sandy, a Poolville High School counselor are retiring at the same time. He said they are going to continue to work and stay active, but they also want to travel.



“Since gas prices are so low that shouldn’t be a problem,” he said laughing.



The Hamilton’s have four children, and the youngest two are graduating from college this year.



“That’s the raise I needed to retire,” Hamilton said.



Since coming to Poolville as superintendent in 2001, Hamilton has overseen numerous expansion projects in the district including a new high school, elementary addition, cafeteria addition, a new electronic marquee, transportation center and baseball complex to name a few.



“I think we have the best 1A facility in the state,” Hamilton said. “ That’s a compliment to our school board and our community for having some pride in Poolville. Everything we have here is classy, but fiscally responsible. It’s a good balance.”



He also bragged about the student accomplishments. Since being at the district he has seen more than a dozen students advance to state UIL competitions, the junior high team recently one the state math science tournament and 11 out of 12 sports teams advanced to the playoffs this year.



“We have an unbelievable all around school,” Hamilton said. “I take a lot of pride in that.”



And as he closes this chapter of life and begins anew, he said “I’ll have fond memories of the students and their successes and the staff and their successes. That’s what I’ll look back, the accomplishments that we had.”

        

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