Perry is expected to name Jennifer Burks as the school’s next athletic director this week.
The hiring is contingent on Chandler Unified School District governing board meeting approval, which is Wednesday night.
Burks is expected to take over the position on July 1, and will replace Marcus Williams, who will be the new Chandler district athletic director for the retiring John Carlson.
Burks has been Higley’s athletic director and an assistant principal the past three years, and been with the school as a coach, teacher or administrator since the school opened in 2001.
“I'll miss not being around the people here (at Higley) and we’ve got great coaches and teachers,” she said. “It’s a great environment. There are definitely things that will be missed here.”
But the chance to work for the Chandler school district and family reasons was an attractive pull for Burks, who worked closely at times with Williams when he was the athletic director at Williams Field a few years ago.
She said she hasn’t spent any significant time with Perry coaches thus far, but doesn’t believe any significant changes are likely in the near future as she noted the Chandler district schools’ athletic success, and positive feedback heard peripherally about working for Williams. The two share similar philosophies.
“Everything sounds so positive over there,” she said. “Working with the coaches should be great. Things are running well there now and the hope is to continue that tradition.”
Mark Heller is the East Valley Tribune sports editor. He can be reached at mheller@evtrib.com or (480) 898-6576.
