By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
Piedmont Public Schools is accepting applications for a new athletic director.
Athletic Director Layne Jones confirmed he will not return after his contract expires June 30. The position has been posted to the district’s job listings page on its website since Feb. 19.
Jones also said he was not included in any aspect during the proposal process for a new basketball arena that will be funded through a $37.5 million bond issue passed Feb. 11. He said he only recently saw the site plan and was also left out of a site visit to tour a facility last fall.
“I know nothing about it other than what I’ve seen on paper,” he said. “I know it’s kind of weird, but for whatever reason, the superintendent left the AD out of that discussion.”
Piedmont Schools Superintendent Dr. James White declined to comment on why Jones was not included during the proposal process but did thank Jones for his service to the district in an issued statement.
“We thank Mr. Jones for his leadership and his time spent serving our school district,” White said in the statement. “We wish him success in his future endeavors.”
The 1,900-seat multi-use facility will be used for both the basketball and wrestling programs. Jones has been involved with other athletics projects, including an indoor facility used for multiple sports and the current construction of a new baseball and softball facility on campus. Those projects were part of a bond issue passed in 2016.
“There is certainly a lot of planning that goes into these things,” Dr. White said when asked about the basketball arena. “We have architects that we contract with who have designed things for us the last 10 years. They handled a lot of the design process.”
The measure passed 61.36% (945 votes) to 38.64% (595 votes) earlier this month. State law requires 60% voter approval for a school bond to be passed. The bond issue also includes additions and renovations at the middle school.
Jones said it is a good time for him and his family to move on and focus on a bottled water and iced tea business, HTeaO, they plan to open in August in Oklahoma City.
