In light of last week's shootings in Connecticut I want to take a moment to assure you that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We maintain an independent ECISD police department with 24 officers and, they work very closely with other law enforcement agencies in Ector and Midland Counties. Together we have developed procedures to deal with all emergencies. Right now we are reviewing all of those procedures, looking for ways they may be improved to make our schools as safe as possible. We are also changing the way our officers monitor our campuses so they will be more visible, and we are evaluating our surveillance equipment and working to improve it where possible.

Please know that I am not just the superintendent...I am a grandfather to a student in ECISD. It is my pledge to do everything I can to keep our kids and employees safe and make ECISD schools a place you want to send your children.

Thank you for your support of our school district; I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Hector Mendez,

Superintendent of Schools

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Permian High School football coach Gary Gaines announced his retirement Tuesday, ending his second four-year stint as MOJO's head coach. Gaines, 63 years old, told his assistant coaches Tuesday morning and his players in the afternoon.

Over the last four years Gaines' teams compiled a 23-21 record. This year's Panthers made the playoffs before losing in the first round to El Paso El Dorado.

Gaines said he decided to retire because, "a .500 record is just not good enough at Permian. It's time for a new face to lead the program. Maybe a new group can get them over the hump."

Gaines was Permian's head coach for four years in the late 1980's winning a state championship and being voted as national champion in 1989. His 1988 PHS team was chronicled in the best-selling book Friday Night Lights, and the notoriety from the book made Gaines a celebrity.

His retirement is effective January 8. The search for a replacement is underway. ECISD athletic director Todd Vesely expects the job opening to be posted by Wednesday.