GROVES — A new title, not a new position — assistant superintendent for student services — has been created in Port Neches-Groves Independent School District to tackle truancy, residency and other similar issues.

Superintendent Rodney Cavness said the district has been overrun by students who do not live in the school district and dealing with the students have become a time consuming problem.

The issues of residency, as well as truancy and homeless students, had fallen on the shoulders of Kyle Segura, the district’s director of transportation and coordinator of student services. Segura is also tasked as manager of the high school’s multi-million dollar stadium.

“Truancy issues require a great deal of time and I like to think this is a move in the right direction,” Cavness said.

Duties associated with the assistant superintendent for student services will include truancy, residency, dealing with homeless students and grievances as well as the day to day duties of the director of the PN-G alternative education center. Currently, Scott Ryan is the director of the alternative education center.

Ryan was not officially placed in the new assistant superintendent role during the school board meeting Tuesday night.

Cavness said the district is in the process of shuffling personnel around to better meet the needs of the students.

Trustees approved the creation of assistant superintendent for student services in a 6-1 vote. Trustee Rodney Balsamo gave the dissenting vote.

“I believe we need someone in that position just not an assistant superintendent position,” Balsamo said.

Mary Meaux: 721-2429 Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews