Murphy becomes new TAHS dean

By Rebecca Fry and Ashley Harker

TAHS students enter the 2011-2012 school year with a new dean of students, Mr. Murphy, TAHS marching, jazz, and concert band director. He replaced Mr. McKee. McKee transferred to the Tyrone Elementary School Dean of students.

There have been many rumors going on about the new dean, Murphy. Since 2007, Murphy has been band director for high school jazz band, marching Band, concert band, and middle school band.

When asked, if his relationship with his band students interfere with his new job as dean, he calmly responded saying there is no truth to the rumor. Murphy said that even though he is close with his former students, he is required to treat all TAHS students equally. Murphy says the “rules are black and white.”

Murphy spends countless hours in preparation for his band and his job as dean. Waking up earlier and leaving the school later are consequences of the new responsibilities as dean. His school day starts at 7AM, and on Mondays and Wednesdays he doesn’t leave the school until 7-8pm. His weekends are packed with directing the marching band at football games on Fridays, directing the marching band at competitions on Saturdays, spending 4-5 hours planning for the next coming school week.

Murphy said that when juggling both jobs as dean and band director, he doesn’t “…find it difficult, I wouldn’t call it easy. It’s very time consuming.”
With the new responsibility of becoming dean, Murphy’s new duties consist of planning assemblies, organizing administration staff, report to various committees, and supporting/ helping Mr. Yoder.

Murphy’s new job has required him to drop some of his classes to incorporate new obligations. He has left behind music theory, advisory, middle school band, and he has not held any band lessons thus far during school hours. He does incorporate band lessons before and after school hours if time is allowing.

Murphy reminds TAHS students, “I’m serious about disciplining, but I’m a fair person…. The rules are able to be accomplished.” He makes known that he will be equally fair with all students.