Parents, coaches address concerns to Lind-Ritzville School Boards

Members of the coaching staff at Lind-Ritzville Schools joined with parents in addressing concerns with a perceived decision to decline a former assistant coach from renewing the position during the upcoming school year during the Lind and Ritzville School Boards meeting on Sept. 26.

Before the public forum began, Lind School Board Chairman Rena Wahl addressed the rules surrounding public forums.

These rules included members of the public not saying the name of the individual being discussed, and a clarification that the school boards would not be discussing the issue or answering questions at the present meeting.

Steve Nygren spoke first and asked for a clarification on coaching requirements. Nygren said the teacher who had been declined to renew the position is an elementary school teacher and the reasoning he received about the decision dealt with missing too much class time.

Nygren said it continues to be a struggle to find qualified coaches who are interested in joining the staff. The teacher had been approved to coach in the past, as had other teachers, and he spoke about the concern of losing future coaches because of an unwritten rule or clarification on the job requirements.

Nygren’s wife and fellow coach for the Lind-Ritzville Middle School volleyball team Heidi Nygren spoke about her love for the communities. She said she personally became a coach because of the enjoyment she feels from being able to work and support the youth from the communities she is a part of.

Heidi said the coach has received positive feedback and reviews from the athletes on the teams, as well as the fellow coaching staff members. To have an individual with knowledge and a passion for the sport is an integral part of coaching, and it can be hard to find, Heidi continued.

She stressed the importance of having an individual who understands how to work with young athletes, and can help them grow not only as athletes but also as students and young adults.

Heidi said she has personally received a tremendous amount of support from the school officials in the past, and she hoped they would extend the same courtesy and understanding to this coach as well.

Kris Harder spoke as a parent of an athlete on the basketball team where the coach had served as an assistant the previous year. Harder said in a small community, everyone has to wear a lot of hats and assume multiple responsibilities in order for the communities to remain successful and viable.

Personally, Harder expressed her support for a teacher serving as a coach because of the training teachers receive in learning how to work with children. Being able to relate to the students is just as important as having knowledge about the sport, Harder stated.

Wahl addressed the large crowd gathered in the meeting, including a wide array of students, teachers and coaches from the local districts, and said no decision had been made regarding the issue. She stated she appreciated the feedback from those who spoke and encouraged them to come forward with any other concerns in the future as well.

She also reiterated that no decision regarding the discussion of the coach’s position with the school district would be decided at the meeting, but it would be discussed at a later date.

The meeting continued with presentations from the superintendent and principals for the two districts. Superintendent Matt Ellis informed the boards about a study conducted by Clear Risk Solutions in the Ritzville School District regarding safety and security.

Ellis said the evaluation raised multiple concerns including issues with door locks, lighting and the lack of surveillance cameras. He stated the evaluation also addressed concerns with procedures, especially in a lock down scenario when students are transitioning from the cafeteria, gym or ag building.

Ritzville Grade School Principal Tom Arlt announced the school has been named a 2016 Washington School of Distinction. Arlt said the grade school received the award for student achievement growth in the past year.

The Ritzville Grade School finished in the top five percent in the state in reading and math, based on the improvement. Only 91 schools throughout the state received the award.

Representatives from the Ritzville School District will receive the banner during a ceremony at ESD 101 on Oct. 21.

Arlt also announced the school has received a two-year grant called Dream Box, and he will also start attending migrant, ELA and Title/LAP meetings through the Pasco area ESD 123 free of charge.

Lind-Ritzville High School Principal Ronanda Liberty announced the district is having a FAFSA night on Oct. 24 to assist parents and students with the application. The opening date for the FAFSA has moved to Oct. 1 this year.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Lind and Ritzville School Boards approved contributions of $500 per person traveling to the National FFA Convention representing the Lind-Ritzville FFA Chapter. The students estimated they needed $684 per person to meet all costs for the trip.

The Lind and Ritzville School Boards will meet next on Oct. 24 at the Ritzville Grade School.