To follow up on the story we had Wednesday concerning the separation between the Joaquin ISD and Athletic Director Wayne Gandy.

Superintendent Phil Worsham said with the Joaquin ISD facing a $400,000 budget shortfall this year due to the Tax Ratification Election issue failing last month, there are no plans to go out and hire a new athletic director when Coach Gandy leaves the district at the Christmas holiday break.

Worsham told us yesterday he would assume the responsibility as athletic director with assistance from the existing coaching staff. He added the district will re-evaluate the situation early next year.

The Joaquin ISD Board of Trustees approved a separation agreement with Gandy by a 6-1 vote Monday night.

Worsham would not elaborate on Gandy's departure, and did not say the financial woes had anything to do with the separation.

Coach Gandy has not returned our communication attempts.

He will remain the Rams' head football coach through the end of the season and AD until Dec. 19.