Dear Editor,

In light of recent happenings at Grand Valley High School, I feel it is important for the public to know about a great abuse of power that has occurred.

The School Board recently voted to fire head football and girl’s basketball coach Mike Johnson.

The five-member board made this decision, even after principal John Johnson and athletic director Jeff Bradley recommended to retain Johnson’s positions.

This group of people is not involved in daily educational matters or evaluating employees. They never attended a single practice, meeting, team dinner, or other function to see Johnson work. They did not bother to look at the steady improvement of the programs Johnson is involved in.

He works endless hours during the season and the summer. No other coach puts in more time than Johnson in this school district.

The board members fired him simply because they did not like him.

They acted like George Steinbrenner, except he is involved in the daily matters of his team. This is a blatant travesty.

These members are not doing what is best for the students. If this decision is not reversed, the teams will suffer from lack of participation. Coaches will not want to work for a district where there is unstable job security. Community members will not support the schools as much.

If Johnson is not rehired, the board members should be recalled and kicked off the board for abusing power.

Sincerely,

Paul Harvey, teacher and coach

Grand Valley High School

Parachute