SIDNEY — No action or public explanation came forth Wednesday night when the Fairlawn Local School District Board of Education was confronted with dispelling or confirming rumors about the possibility of varsity volleyball coach Kelly Tobie not being rehired for next season.
During their regular meeting, board members and administrators did not reply when Tobie asked them about her future as coach. She, and parents of players, Karen Weinschenk and Jo DeMotte, had addressed the board regarding the coaching change.
Board President Andy Brautigam said Tobie could stay for the scheduled executive session to discuss the matter, if she wished. Later, when the board adjourned into an executive session, Tobie and her supporters exited to speak with the SDN outside the meeting room.
The group indicated they were unsure about the legality of Tobie being part of the executive session.
Following a scheduled executive session, Superintendent Jeff Hobbs reported no formal recommendation has been made to the board regarding the coaching position. He indicated the board discussed the matter during the closed session.
Tobie recently completed her second year as head varsity coach, and oversees the junior varsity, middle school and other team levels. Over the past few years, Tobie also served as assistant coach and part-time athletic director under a previous administration.
By standard board policy, coaching contracts are one-year pacts making the positions renewable annually.
During the open session, Weinschenk and DeMotte indicated their daughters, who will be seniors next season, want Tobie at the helm. They stated consistency in the coaching staff has always been important and maintaining that on the volleyball team was vital.
Tobie spoke about her experiences as an achieved collegiate and international volleyball player, coach and recruiter. She claims to have met coaching improvements and expectations for the program. She noted the on-court success and having players become involved in offseason programs were vital steps she made happen.
When she asked, “What did I do, or what could I have done, to have the full support of this board, and now a possible 4-1 vote against me?” she received no answer.
In speaking with the SDN, Tobie shared the results of her coaching evaluation conducted by Athletic Director Justin Tidwell, who attended the meeting.
She claimed a personality conflict is at the root of the problem. She also accused school officials of changing their expectations of her performance levels. Her husband, Dexter Tobie, told the SDN, he believes, he also created administrative hard feelings during his time as soccer coach and Spanish teacher at Fairlawn. He now teaches in the Riverside school district.
Regarding the evaluation, Tobie pointed out several notations that involved her punctuality, failing to ride a team bus, and bringing two young children (Tobie provides daycare services) to practice before they were picked up.
Tobie claims having assistant coaches handle early practice warmups was an agreed upon arrangement. When she was unable to ride the bus, she arranged for assistant coaches to be aboard. The children at practice issue, she believes, was agreed upon beforehand.
Hobbs stated after the meeting he believes Tobie received a fair evaluation from Tidwell.
Student trips approved
The board gave approval for two teachers to move ahead with plans to arrange student trips over the next two years.
Music teacher Sonya Phillips will be seeking to take 40 to 50 band and choir students and chaperones, to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, May 9-12, 2018. The students would perform at the amusement park and visit such places as Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Epcot Center.
Phillips said the cost would range from $850 to $949 person depending on the total number of people making the trip. She also suggested students take an additional $80 personal spending money. They will travel by bus, and students will be responsible to raise funds to pay for the trip.
English teacher Liz Maxson will be seeking four to five students to travel to Tuba City, Arizona, for a Native American cultural experience in October 2017. The estimated cost would be $2,000 per student, including air fare and ground transportation.
Maxson told of her recent visit to the same gathering of Navajo and Hopi Native American tribes. She spoke of learning about their origin, culture, religious beliefs, food, artwork, and archeology. She plans for students to be involved in a service project while there.
In his report, Hobbs told the board state inspectors concluded examining the school buses this week. They checked all buses and found few minor safety items, such as exterior lights needing replaced.
School, residents and students to help their own
Hobbs also reported the Adopt-a-Family Christmas Fund has some $1,200. Outside organizations are also donating, and he anticipates the fund reaching $1,500.
The money will be used to assist families in the Fairlawn district. Purchases will focus on hats, coats and gloves, before other presents, he said.
K-8 Principal John Stekli reported the screening for students entering kindergarten will be moved earlier on the school schedule than previous years. It will be held at a local church with evening appointments available.
Tidwell told the board that a 30th year anniversary of the 1986 state volleyball team will be held on Feb. 11. Former players and coaches will be recognized at halftime of a boys’ varsity basketball game against Waynesfield-Goshen.
In other business, the board:
• Set Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. as their reorganizational meeting with Andy Brautigam serving as president tempore.
• Hired Johanna Peters as elementary teacher beginning Jan. 2. She is currently teaching in the Graham Local School District.
• Hired several athletic coaches. They include John Batton, intramural girls basketball, $1,135; Barry Westerbeck, intramural boys basketball, $493; Nathan Jones, intramural boys basketball, $493; David Jones, assistant baseball, $1645; Megan Dudgeon, assistant softball, $1,645; Olivia Cummings, varsity assistant track, $1,645; and Sarah Braun, varsity assistant track, $1,645.
• Approved two volunteer athletic coaches including Scott Heath, intramural girls basketball; and Rod Elliott, intramural boys basketball.
• Agreed to employ Jamie Baumer, Adam Goes and Patrick Goff, as substitute teacher at a rate of $80 per day.
