Published: June 09, 2009 01:51 am      

Hardin, McKelvain chosen to lead WO-S campuses

ORANGE — The coming school year will bring new leadership for two campuses of the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District.

In a specially called meeting of the Board of Trustees, Dr. O. Taylor Collins, West Orange-Cove CISD superintendent, announced he was reassigning two school personnel into new positions. Collins announced Paul Hardin as the new principal of West Orange-Stark High School and Travis McKelvain as principal of West Orange-Stark Middle School.

Collins said the future of these two campuses looks very bright with this new leadership.

“I believe both of these men are real leaders,” Collins said. “And I believe both have what it takes to make each campus the best it can be.”

Collins said he believes Hardin “will be a perfect fit” for the high school and he has the skill to unite the high school staff together and be successful in his time as principal.

Collins said McKelvain has the support of his teachers and staff at the middle school and can build upon that foundation “to help them get the job done.”

“The challenges are great for each of these individuals, but I am optimistic they can overcome any foreseeable problems,” Collins added.

Hardin will replace the role held by Mike Mason at West Orange-Stark High School. Hardin is currently serving as the acting principal of North Early Learning Center.

Mason was given the new assignment as principal of Lorena Oates Elementary.

McKelvain replaces Anitrea Goodwin as the West Orange-Stark Middle School principal. McKelvain served most recently as the campus’ assistant principal. Goodwin was moved to the central office position of Executive Director of Federal Programs and Special Initiatives.

“It’s my belief these moves will bring new enthusiasm to each campus,” Collins continued. “And it is my hope they are good facilitators of progress.”

Pete Amy, Board of Trustees president, said the school board is excited for the future of these two campuses.

“We’re definitely excited about the prospects for the future,” Amy said. “They each bring new enthusiasm to the high school and middle school, and we hope they are good facilitators of our campuses. There was a lot of support from members of the West Orange-Stark Middle School staff at (Monday’s) board meeting for Mr. McKelvain, and that was great to see that kind of support.”



Tommy Mann Jr. is a reporter for The Orange Leader. He can be reached at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com