School Board does not renew football coaches’ contracts

 

CRESCO - There has been some speculation around the Howard-Winneshiek School District, as well as state-wide, regarding a decision at the Dec. 11 board meeting not to renew the contracts for the football coaches.
Because of that decision, there were 37 visitors, compared to the normal 10 at a regular meeting, who attended the Jan. 8 meeting. Four of those spoke during the open forum.
The interest began after Activities Director Greg Hiemstra recommended the re-hiring of all the fall sports coaches—football, volleyball and cross country for varsity, junior varsity and junior high.
All were approved as one motion in the consent agenda . . . except varsity football, which had been pulled out by Director Todd Hill and approved by the other directors, Toni Johnson, Duane Bodermann, Casey Vobr and Alison Holten. 
Bodermann, president of the board, then asked for a motion regarding the football coaches, and it died for lack of a motion. He then instructed Hiemstra to ask for applicants for the coaching positions.
In a recent interview, Hill stated, “My decision  on Dec.11 to pull the high school football coaches contract renewal from the consent agenda of the school board meeting was one of the hardest decisions I have made yet being a school board member.” He could not comment further since the item is an active personnel matter.
Coach Chris Lentz, who was head football coach for the past two decades, said he found out his contract was not renewed when he received a letter that said the contracts were not renewed because the board had concerns. 
“I’ve had 21 years of evaluations that said I met or exceeded district expectations. We [Lentz and the other coaches] never had any conversations about why they weren’t renewed,” coach added. “I’m hurt and very disappointed in the leadership of How-Winn.”
Past practice of the Howard-Winneshiek CSD is that coaches be recommended to the school board within 60 days of the conclusion of the current season for the next season.
The decision not to rehire the football coaches caused a firestorm in the area. Athletes and community members wondered about the football program and teachers and coaches wondered, “If it can happen to football coaches, can it happen to me?” 
It also put the eyes of the state on Howard-Winneshiek. Supt. Ted Ihns explained that after the modification of Chapter 20 in the 2017 legislative session, Iowa school district employees are hired on a yearly basis. This is possibly the first time in the state the law was put to a test.
As it stands for the football program, Hiemstra explained all coaches have the option to reapply for any position they choose. Right now, applications are being accepted for the head coach position until Jan. 26. At that time, Hiemstra and 7-12 Principal Chris Rogne will be getting a committee together for the recommendation for hire of the Head Football Coach.
The A.D. commented, “We want to hire the best candidate, who will impact 590 students in grades 7-12. The football coach affects more than just the ones on the football field.”
One problem that arose after the coaches were not rehired was having a weight-room coach. The football coaches had been the ones to organize who would supervise the weight room. With them gone, Hiemstra and Ihns supervised the room before Christmas break. 
After the break the A.D. went to the Booster Club and asked if they would compensate supervisors for a few months, and the board agreed. From the current pool of 35 coaching staff, there were several who volunteered to supervise the weight room until the football coaching issue is resolved.
Ihns said, “Any Howard-Winneshiek student in seventh to 12th grade can be in the weight room. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 6:15-7:45 a.m. and 3:30-5 p.m.”
Four individuals brought some concerns to the Jan. 8 board meeting and spoke during the open forum. Parent Jeff Wilson was concerned about the strength and conditioning program in the weight room. “We need a coach for all sports . . . not just football. We need someone who knows how to do it effectively. We’ve had success in lots of sports. We can’t fall back. Other schools are doing it [strength and conditioning program], we need to follow suit.”
Teacher Jason Sorenson addressed the board regarding the evaluation process for supplemental employees and if they had to start reporting to the school board.
Teacher Paula Galvin spoke on behalf of the football coaches. She stated she knew a complaint letter was sent to some if not all board members, and the board should have followed school policy, such as having administration resolve the issue. She concluded, “There is a belief that due process was not followed, and others are afraid that this will happen to them. When individuals are not given the opportunity to correct, explain or change something in their practice to address concerns then due process has not been followed.”
Teacher and coach Heather Suckow stated Dec. 12, the day after the meeting when the football coaches were not rehired, was not fun at Crestwood as students were upset and teachers were trying their best to console the students and were not sure how. In addition other coaches were concerned about the same thing happening to them.
At the end of the meeting, Bodermann addressed the audience. He spoke about the lack of transparency brought up by one of the speakers. “This board is about as transparent as it gets.” He also admitted, “The issue could have been handled in a different manner, but there wasn’t a conspiracy.”

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Breaking News feed