Search for new coaches begins at GBHS
Replacing soccer coach Miles tops on agenda
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Thanks for the memories Lady Dolphin soccer coach Eric Miles (left) and his family were treated to a going away party recently at the Gross residence. Right: It also doubled as a baby shower for JV soccer coach Erin Cosky, who's also leaving Gulf Breeze High this year.

While school may be out for area students and teachers, area administrators are still hard at work.

Ordering supplies and reviewing curriculum are on the docket for each school's administration, while others also have to start hiring new teachers - and in Gulf Breeze High's case - hire new coaches as well.

None of those positions is more coveted that the slot vacated by Eric Miles, who will be moving down to Naples in late July to begin work at the Naples Community School.

Miles, the reigning GBHS Teacher of the Year, led the Lady Dolphin soccer team to the state championship game in February.

Members of Miles' Lady Dolphin and Bayside Soccer Club teams honored Miles with a going away party recently at the Gross residence. It also doubled as a baby shower for JV coach Erin Cosky, who is also relocating this summer.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News

GBHS will also have to replace two football coaching spots in Bobby Clayton and David Wiley.

Supplies and curriculum are on the top of the list for GBES Principal Karen Murray. She may also have to replace two teaching positions, but won't know until late June if she'll be able to replace both spots because of enrollment numbers.

Kindergarden teacher Kim Thomas and third grade teacher Margaret Diamond will not be back next school year.

While Murray has the final say on all hires, she does get input from teachers. "They're the ones that have to work with those people," Murray said. "We make it a family thing here."

At Pensacola Beach Elementary, Jeff Castleberry has to replace only one position, that of part time art teacher Jackie Henderson.

"We're just focusing on cleaning up, ordering supplies, things like that," said Castleberry, who'll spend part of the summer working on the school's improvement report.