Thursday, June 19, 2008

Frakes named principal at Jefferson West High School

by Clarke Davis

Rhonda Frakes, teacher, coach, and athletic director at Jefferson West High School, will be the principal of the school starting Aug. 1.

Frakes was offered a contract by the school board at the June 9 meeting.

She replaces Ed West, who is leaving to be head principal at Free State High School in Lawrence. He had been principal four years.

Frakes came to Jefferson West right out of college in February 1991 as a part-time physical education teacher and track coach. She was offered a full-time position that fall and has been with USD 340 ever since.

She has taught physical education, health, and psychology over the years and been assistant basketball, track, and volleyball coach. She was head volleyball coach for a period of time and has been the athletic director for the past two years.

Students and staff do not need to anticipate any major changes when school takes up this fall, according to Frakes.

“We’ll work to keep things going as well as they are,” she said. “This is a great school with a great staff.”

She indicated that programs are always being evaluated and there may be small changes down the road.

As principal, she will head a teaching staff of approximately 30. Two new teachers will be on board this year to teach business and family and consumer science. Jeff Kilgore, who has headed up the adult education program, will teach a high school English class.

The new principal said her primary goal will be to find something to connect every student with the school and make them excited about the learning process.

“We want them prepared so that when they leave here they will be successful on whatever path they choose,” she said. “We want to try and find something for every student that will light that fire.”

Frakes is a Centralia native who attended Pratt Community College and Emporia State University. She received her master’s in administration and building leadership from Benedictine College.

She and her husband, Bret, reside at Valley Falls. He is a former city administrator now employed as a project manager for Heinen Custom Operations Inc. He has a daughter, Brittany, 15.

Both are Harley-Davidson riders, a mode of transportation the new principal will probably use to commute during fair weather to beat the rising gas prices.

Frakes’ contract is for one year at a salary of $70,000.