At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Chatfield School Board conducted a special meeting to address concerns presented by Chatfield’s head wrestling coach Travis Bartels.
On June 3, 2020, the school board voted to pull Bartels’ coaching contract, concluding his 19 years with the Chatfield wrestling program. Bartels, along with his supporters, wanted answers.
With COVID-19 restrictions taken under consideration, the school board elected to conduct a special meeting with the use of Zoom video, Chatfield CCTV, and the Chatfield CCTV Facebook page.
At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Chatfield School Board conducted a special meeting to address concerns presented by Travis Bartels.
Present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Board Chair Amy Jeffers, Vice Chair Lanny Isensee, Clerk Scott Backer, Director Rick Lowrey, Treasurer Katie Priebe, and Director Matt McMahon.
After the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, with the meeting led by Chair Amy Jeffers, Bartels was presented with time to make his statement.
Over the course of 26 minutes, Bartels presented his concerns.
He started out thanking his supporters, pointing out that there was a petition to reinstate his contract, which had already garnered over 1,400 signatures. He specifically thanked Chad and Amanda Curry for creating the “We Want Bart!!!” Facebook page.
According to Bartels, “On March 11, I had my post-season meeting with Dan Schindler, the Athletic Director. We discussed the season and touched upon issues that we both agreed were resolved. My evaluation was positive and he recommended my renewal. Between March 11 and May 5, I had the understanding that my contract would be renewed without issue as it had been the past five years.”
Bartels elaborated, “On May 5, the day after the May board meeting, Coach Mauseth informed me that the school board was investigating me for skipping practices on a regular basis. I missed one practice the entire season and that was due to illness. I was also informed that administration investigated anonymous accusations that I use inappropriate language. However, Dan Schindler and Randy Paulson both stated that these were unfounded accusations at my Program Improvement Plan meeting May 8th. That’s when I realized I was being set up to get pushed out as the head wrestling coach. This would make me the sixth Chatfield coach in six years to get pushed out over some private board members’ feelings. Dan Schindler and Randy Paulson, the high school principal, told me that the school board would be more comfortable renewing me if I were on a Program Improvement Plan. I called Ed Harris, the Superintendent, on May 5 and questioned if he is following chain of command. In addition, I requested that the school board and administration be at the meeting to create a Program Improvement Plan. Ed Harris said that he, nor the members of the board, would be at the Program Improvement Plan meeting on Friday, May 8. When I arrived at the meeting with Dan Schindler and Randy Paulson, the Program Improvement Plan was already written, without any input from me, and they strongly encouraged me to sign it that day. I disagreed with the plan and did not feel it represented the situations accurately. I was told I needed to sign by May 15 or I would not be renewed.”
Reluctantly, Bartels said he signed the Program Improvement Plan on May 14, 2020, and e-mailed it to Athletic Director Dan Schindler.
On Wednesday, June 3, at approximately 9 p.m., following the Chatfield School Board meeting, Bartels said he received a text message from Superintendent Ed Harris indicating the board did not renew his coaching contract at the school board meeting.
He reached out to all of the school board members in an e-mail, and received a response from Chair Amy Jeffers.
According to Bartels’ statement, Jeffers responded, “As you have been made aware, the wrestling head coach contract for 2020-2021 was up for renewal and was listed as a consent item at the June 3rd meeting. The Board was made aware of the fact that the administration had drafted a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for you due to your failure to meet standards and expectations, including respect and professionalism directed to the administration. You were provided a copy of the PIP in May. In light of the concerns set forth in the PIP, the head wrestling coach contract was pulled from the rest of the consent items, and voted on independently. When the renewal of the wrestling head coach contract came up for a vote the outcome was 1 vote in favor of renewal, 4 votes not in favor of renewal and 1 abstained vote, thus not approving the contract renewal.”
With respect to the Program Improvement Plan, Bartels was told that he needed to improve in the areas of language, professionalism, and communication.
Chair Jeffers specified the following.
- Language – Oversaw an environment where inappropriate language was permitted amongst other wrestling coaches.
- Professionalism – Communicated with the administration in an unprofessional, demanding, and uncivil manner. At times in front of other staff;
- Communication – Routinely failed to communicate with administration in a timely manner (e-mail, text, phone).
During the June 23 special meeting, Bartels addressed those concerns, and these are his words verbatim.
- Language: One volunteer coach swore during practice one time. I do not permit language in the room. I do not let the wrestlers listen to music with language either. We set this as a policy because it creates a better environment for our wrestlers and ensures that they are not used to swearing during wrestling. If they swear during a match, we could lose a team point. Not only does it create a negative environment in which to learn, but it can have a negative effect on the program.
- Professionalism: I got in a passionate discussion with Randy Paulson regarding the eligibility of a wrestler. He was equally intense and passionate that he could not wrestle. Randy Paulson later determined that the wrestler was in fact eligible. He wrestled and was very grateful I stood up for his right to do so. Here is what his mother stated in a public Facebook post regarding the incident, and I quote: “Travis Bartels went the extra mile for my son! Moved mountains so my son could wrestle. I thank him for that! His actions proves he loves to coach wrestling, and his record proves he knows how to coach. Bart gave it his all to see these boys win, you could tell on and off the mat! He believed in each and every one of them! Bart loves wrestling and the kids! Constant support and encouragement like a great coach does! This is a great injustice to our community. Informed through a text message? Stay classy school board! Stay classy!” End quote. Is the board saying they would rather I not stand up for kids?
- Did Randy Paulson explain to the board (and also to Ed Harris) that he subsequently agreed with me about the rules on eligibility?
- Did Randy Paulson explain to the board (and also to Ed Harris) that he and I subsequently had a meeting where we revolved the issue, shook hands, apologized, and agreed to move forward in a positive and productive manner?
- Communication: I do not understand this one. I sent weekly emails to Dan Schindler, parents, and wrestling fans. In addition, I sent wrestlers group text messages of encouragement and reminders. One fact to note, however, is that my email account was deleted by the school, with no notification to me, when my leave request was denied in 2019. I did not realize my school email account was not functional until September of 2019, at which time I notified Dan Schindler. He then requested it be reinstated, and we were both under the impression that it was in working order at that time. When Coach Mauseth contacted me in October about an email that he thought we should address, I realized my account was still not functioning correctly. I had to contact Dan Schindler again to readdress the problem. I am sure this situation did cause some delay in my responses to emails at that time.
Bartels continued with a series of questions for specific members of the school board and administration relating to his separation.
As he concluded his statement, he stated, “Generally, the only reason a coach with my experience gets fired is for an egregious act, especially given the success of our program and the positive feelings around our program from our past wrestlers and the community at large.”
He left a few more questions on the table as he wrapped up his statement.
Additional Questions for the Board and Administration:
- Why did you hold me to a higher standards and expectations than all the other coaches? Specifically, referring to language.
- Why did you set me up for non-renewal by making me sign a Program Improvement Plan and then use that as a reason to not renew?
- The first time I heard there would be any issue with my continuing to coach this team was during and after the June 3rd board meeting when my contract was not renewed. That lack of prior discussion, with me at least, creates an environment that lacks transparency and fails to give the community what they deserve. And they deserve to know the details about how this occurred.
Following Bartels’ statement, Chair Jeffers asked board members if they would like to respond. Travis Bartels’ entire statement can be found online with this article at www.fillmorecountyjournal.com (see below).
Rick Lowrey said, “The administration does not make the decision to renew a coaching contract. That decision is made by the school board. The administration felt that it was necessary to issue a Performance Improvement Plan to you regarding multiple issues. I did not feel that the board should issue a new contract to a coach who needs an improvement plan for multiple issues. This is not about your abilities as a coach or the great things that you have done for the wrestling program. This is about your inability and unwillingness to put yourself in check when dealing with the administration. This has been an issue more than once during your tenure as head coach. You expect your wrestlers to show you respect, and the board expects you to show respect, as well. Leading by example is key in all aspects of life. You can’t hide arrogance by calling it dedication.”
Katie Priebe had nothing to say.
Scott Backer said, “I’m not going to say anything about the specific facts, or otherwise debate other items that have appeared in various forums of social media or e-mails or discussions or the documents that I’ve seen that pertain to the non-renewal of a head coach. However, I will say that this challenging situation will in my opinion be a waste if it doesn’t result in some reflection and possible adjustments by the people that have played a role, including everyone from parents to administration to school board members to coaches and others, and consider how we ended up putting a community at odds. I will also offer that I talked directly with people on the phone or in-person, and all of them were very respectful and very thoughtful. Each of them talked about the accomplishments of the wrestling program. And, they said it offered community pride. And, there is no disagreement to that point. I am confident that if adults all look and reflect on their defined roles, and work towards improvements, our already very fine school and quality school programs will only get better.”
Lanny Isensee and Matt McMahon had nothing to add.
Chair Jeffers thanked Mr. Bartels and the board members for their statements, and concluded the meeting with an approved adjournment.
Travis Bartels’ statement
Statement to the Chatfield School Administration: Edward Harris, Superintendent; Randy Paulson, High School Principal; Dan Schindler, Activities Director. And the Chatfield School Board: Amy Jeffers, Chair; Lanny Isensee, Vice Chair; Scott Backer, Clerk; Rick Lowrey, Director; Katie Priebe, Treasurer; and Matt McMahon, Director.
I will submit a written version of this speech so it is part of the official record.
First, I need to thank the wrestling team for their support and encouragement.
Thanks to the Wrestling Booster Club for writing a letter of support for me to the administration and school board.
Thanks to Chad and Amanda Curry for creating the “We Want Bart!!!” Facebook page so the community could see the facts and truth behind the non-renewal.
Thanks to those who reached out to board members by phone, email, and in person on my behalf.
Thanks to all who wrote about their experiences with me as a coach and a teacher on the “We Want Bart!!!” Facebook page.
Thanks to all who signed the “We want Coach Bartels Back” petition which currently has about 1400 signatures.
Thanks to all who signed the Open Letter to the Board.
My family has gone through a lot of pain and suffering, and I would like to apologize to them; however, that is not my apology to make. It would have to come from the board and administration.
The only peace I have is that I have been transparent and shared all the facts on Facebook, KTTC and KAAL so people can see the truth. It is time for the school board to do the same and provide the full reasoning of my non-renewal. School board members can’t hide behind blanket statements like “it was best for the kids” or say “there is more to the story.”
Since I have never had a conversation with the school board about wrestling or any concerns the board may have since I have been head coach, I think it is important that you know some things about me.
My philosophy towards coaching is simple. I have high expectations for each wrestler to work on improving their technique, strength, conditioning, and mental toughness. Work hard in practice and listen to your coaches. I believe discipline is essential and sometimes kids need love, and sometimes they need tough love. I push kids according to their level of experience and the goals that they have set for themselves and our team. Wrestling is the most demanding sport a high school athlete can choose. Our coaching staff turns boys into men. My favorite phrase is “toughness wins championships.” I am passionate about coaching wrestling and believe I have a few more good years in me before I pass the torch to Coach Mauseth.
On March 11, I had my post-season meeting with Dan Schindler the Athletic Director. We discussed the season and touched upon issues that we both agreed were resolved. My evaluation was positive and he recommended my renewal. Between March 11 and May 5, I had the understanding that my contract would be renewed without issue as it had been the past five years.
On May 5, the day after the May board meeting, Coach Mauseth informed me that the school board was investigating me for skipping practices on a regular basis. I missed one practice the entire season and that was due to illness. I was also informed that administration investigated anonymous accusations that I use inappropriate language. However, Dan Schindler and Randy Paulson both stated that these were unfounded accusations at my Program improvement plan meeting May 8th. That’s when I realized I was being set up to get pushed out as the head wrestling coach. This would make me the 6th Chatfield coach in 6 years to get pushed out over some private board members feelings. Dan Schindler and Randy Paulson, the high school principal, told me that the school board would be more comfortable renewing me if I were on a Program Improvement Plan. I called Ed Harris, the Superintendent, on May 5 and questioned if he is following chain of command. In addition, I requested that the school board and administration be at the meeting to create a Program Improvement Plan. Ed Harris said that he, nor the members of the board, would be at the Program Improvement Plan meeting on Friday May 8th. When I arrived at the meeting with Dan Schindler and Randy Paulson, the Program Improvement Plan was already written, without any input from me, and they strongly encouraged me to sign it that day. I disagreed with the plan and did not feel it represented the situations accurately. I was told I needed to sign by May 15th or I would not be renewed.
I signed it May 14th and emailed it to Dan Schindler.
On Wednesday June 3 at 9pm, I received a text from Ed Harris telling me the details of how the board did not renew my contract at the board meeting. I was in shock.
I emailed every board member the next morning asking for their reasons. Here is the Board Chair Amy Jeffers’s response, verbatim:
Thank you for email and I appreciate you reaching out for follow up from our last board meeting.
As you have been made aware, the wrestling head coach contract for 2020-2021 was up for renewal and was listed as a consent item at the June 3rd meeting. The Board was made aware of the fact that the administration had drafted a performance improvement plan (PIP) for you due to your failure to meet standards and expectations, including respect and professionalism directed to the administration. You were provided a copy of the PIP in May. In light of the concerns set forth in the PIP, the head wrestling coach contract was pulled from the rest of the consent items, and voted on independently. When the renewal of the wrestling head coach contract came up for a vote the outcome was 1 vote in favor of renewal, 4 votes not in favor of renewal and 1 abstained vote, thus not approving the contract renewal.
We wish you the best in your future plans.
Sincerely,
Amy
I asked for examples of when I did not meet standards and expectations. This was her reply, again verbatim:
For purposes of clarification, the Board declined to renew your contract because it did not feel that it wanted to have a Head Coach with a PIP in place who had the following issues:
Language
Oversaw an environment where inappropriate language was permitted amongst other wrestling coaches;
Professionalism
Communicated with the administration in an unprofessional, demanding, and uncivil manner. At times in front of other staff;
Communication
Routinely failed to communicate with administration in a timely manner (email, text, phone).
The board is not obligated to continue to discuss this decision any further.
We wish you the best.
Amy
I want to address the Program Improvement Plan from my perspective:
- Language: One volunteer coach swore during practice one time. I do not permit language in the room. I do not let the wrestlers listen to music with language either. We set this as a policy because it creates a better environment for our wrestlers and ensures that they are not used to swearing during wrestling. If they swear during a match, we could lose a team point. Not only does it create a negative environment in which to learn, but it can have a negative effect on the program.
- Professionalism: I got in a passionate discussion with Randy Paulson regarding the eligibility of a wrestler. He was equally intense and passionate that he could not wrestle. Randy Paulson later determined that the wrestler was in fact eligible. He wrestled and was very grateful I stood up for his right to do so. Here is what his mother stated in a public Facebook post regarding the incident, and I quote: “Travis Bartels went the extra mile for my son! Moved mountains so my son could wrestle. I thank him for that! His actions proves he loves to coach wrestling, and his record proves he knows how to coach. Bart gave it his all to see these boys win, you could tell on and off the mat! He believed in each and every one of them! Bart loves wrestling and the kids! Constant support and encouragement like a great coach does! This is a great injustice to our community. Informed through a text message? Stay classy school board! Stay classy!” End quote. Is the board saying they would rather I not stand up for kids?
- Did Randy Paulson explain to the board (and also to Ed Harris) that he subsequently agreed with me about the rules on eligibility?
- Did Randy Paulson explain to the board (and also to Ed Harris) that he and I subsequently had a meeting where we revolved the issue, shook hands, apologized, and agreed to move forward in a positive and productive manner?
- Communication: I do not understand this one. I sent weekly emails to Dan Schindler, parents, and wrestling fans. In addition, I sent wrestlers group text messages of encouragement and reminders. One fact to note, however, is that my email account was deleted by the school, with no notification to me, when my leave request was denied in 2019. I did not realize my school email account was not functional until September of 2019, at which time I notified Dan Schindler. He then requested it be reinstated, and we were both under the impression that it was in working order at that time. When Coach Mauseth contacted me in October about an email that he thought we should address, I realized my account was still not functioning correctly. I had to contact Dan Schindler again to readdress the problem. I am sure this situation did cause some delay in my responses to emails at that time.
Those are the “confidential” reasons to which the School Board is referring.
- How much did the administration communicate with the board about the nature, context, background, and facts of the Program Improvement Plan?
- Why did the board vote against contract renewal before I had a chance to implement the issues in the Program Improvement Plan (in the 2020-2021 school year)?
- Did the board or any board members ask questions of any of the administrators about the formation of the Program Improvement Plan, about the context and facts behind the plan, or why the administration was recommending renewal?
- Under what conditions would the board fail to renew a contract for a coach when the administration recommended renewal?
- To the board: What were the exact discussions in the meeting that occurred before you voted on my contract renewal?
June 3 Meeting. During the meeting, the board voted to pull my contract item to an action item to be “considered” and voted on (separately from the other items) at the end of the meeting. The manner in which this proceeded was a bit awkward and it appeared as though the board had already considered and determined its vote on the issue. Only three board members spoke about my contract during the meeting and none of them gave any reasons for
either pulling my contract as a special action item, or reasons for voting either way on my contract. None of them spoke about my coaching or the wrestling program. Other than the vague “did not meet expectations” statement given by Amy Jeffers, not a single board member gave a single reason why my contract was being considered separately, or why the board was about to not renew it.
- Why was my contract, in particular, pulled from the rest of the consent items and voted on as a separate item?
- How many times in the past has a contract been pulled from the rest of the consent items and voted on as a separate item?
- For what reasons in the past has a contract been pulled from the rest of the consent agenda and voted on as a separate item?
- How many times did the administration, or select administrators and the board, or select board members, meet before this June 3 meeting to discuss my position, my contract, or the manner in which the administration and the board planned to proceed at the June 3 meeting?
- Why wasn’t there significantly more discussion for the public record on the issue of voting to renew my contract?
- What were the actual reasons for not renewing my contract at the meeting?
- What date did each board member first discuss the idea of not renewing my contract for 2020-2021?
- What date did each administrator first discuss the idea of not renewing my contract for 2020-2021?
- Why was the meeting about contracts held in June when it is usually held in April or May?
- When did the board first become aware of the Program Improvement Plan?
- Did the board or any board member(s) initiate the Program Improvement Plan or any discussions of forming an improvement plan?
- Did the administration initiate the Program Improvement Plan or any discussions around forming the improvement plan?
- Did the board or any board members and the administration or any administrators coordinate and/or communicate in the forming or drafting of the Program Improvement Plan?
- Which administrator (Ed Harris, Randy Paulson, or Dan Schindler) first initiated the idea of the Program Improvement Plan?
- Which administrator (Ed Harris, Randy Paulson, or Dan Schindler) drafted the Program Improvement Plan?
- Did the board or any board members have any role in drafting or developing any of the content contained in the Program Improvement Plan?
Generally, the only reason a coach with my experience gets fired is for an egregious act, especially given the success of our program and the positive feelings around our program from our past wrestlers and the community at large.
Administration (Randy Paulson, Dan Schindler, and Ed Harris) recommended that my contract be renewed and have never waivered. However, if you watch the June 3 board meeting, I never heard Dan Schindler, Randy Paulson, or Ed Harris discuss why I should be renewed or defend me in any way to the board. In a phone discussion with Ed Harris on June 12, once again he assured me that he and administration recommended my renewal.
On June 14, two school board members, who voted no, met with two wrestling booster club members to discuss the situation. The booster club members wanted to share my point of view. When the board members were asked, “do you know what Coach Bartels was arguing about with administration? (referring to #2 on the Program Improvement Plan), one board member said no. When they were told that I was advocating for a student’s right to wrestle, the board member said he had no idea my heated discussion was in defense of a student’s eligibility.
A year ago I requested a one-year leave of absence from my teaching position. As in this situation, my leave request was recommended by administration, but denied by this same board. I then made the decision to resign from teaching to manage the family business that my wife and I had purchased. This business happens to be a liquor store. I believe a portion of the basis for my nonrenewal is related to this decision. I have been told that recent comments have been made by board members such as “I knew he was on his way out when he chose liquor over kids” and “he must have been drunk when he wrote these emails”. I have the right to own and manage a legal business Refusing to renew my contract on the basis of lawful activities engaged outside of work is not an appropriate basis for non-renewal.
Another response from a board member to a concerned taxpayer on June 15 was, and I quote: “I just want to thank you for showing your support for your cause in a very positive and professional way. I do believe there is some facts that are not correct and will come out in the meeting. The reason I say this is I have not seen any facts that I based my decision on. Like always there are two sides to the story.” End quote.
The fact is, this board member didn’t discuss his reasons for voting “no” on June 3 which he is legally and ethically obligated to do. In addition, the board was required, by statute, to give me the reasons in writing within 10 days of this decision. This email was sent after the 10-day period and is the first I’ve heard of “other reasons”. Statements like these are designed to create doubt in the minds of the people and, arguably, unjustly defame my character by implying there is something much worse being considered by the board that has not been made public.
Yesterday, June 22, I asked Ed Harris for a copy of my coaching file. We paged through it together and I noticed that documents had been added and altered since my post-season meeting which took place on March 11th with Dan Schindler. I told Ed Harris that documents had been added and altered, and he said he knew nothing about it and I would have to talk to Dan Schindler. When questioned, Dan Schindler’s response was, and I quote “I recommended you to renewal and my position has not changed. I talked with Ed Harris on how I do all coach’s files. He said he would respond.” End quote. I have yet to receive the response from Ed Harris, but I do have these questions:
- Dan Schindler, why did you add and alter documents in my coach’s file after our post-season meeting on March 11th?
- When did you add and alter these documents in my coach’s file?
- Did you make the decision to add and alter these documents or were you directed to add and alter these documents? If so, by whom?
- Why wasn’t I notified that documents had been both added and altered?
I want to be clear that I am not a perfect coach. I have never claimed to be perfect in any way. I am my biggest critic, and I am constantly trying to improve myself not only as a coach, but as a person.
I am curious to see how this board, who are elected officials, respond to the voice of the people (again, there are 1400 signatures on the petition).
I am curious to see what the board’s response to the wrestling team will be now that they have made known their overwhelming support for my return.
I am curious to see how the board will restore their core values of excellence, integrity, and relationships with students and taxpaying citizens.
Additional Questions for the Board and Administration:
- Why did you hold me to a higher standards and expectations than all the other coaches? Specifically, referring to language.
- Why did you set me up for non-renewal by making me sign a Program Improvement Plan and then use that as a reason to not renew?
- The first time I heard there would be any issue with my continuing to coach this team was during and after the June 3rd board meeting when my contract was not renewed. That lack of prior discussion, with me at least, creates an environment that lacks transparency and fails to give the community what they deserve. And they deserve to know the details about how this occurred.
During a wrestling match, when a wrestler starts to bleed, the ref stops the match and starts blood time.
When Amy Jeffers, Board Chair, lowers the gavel to adjourn this meeting, the bleeding will not be over. Blood time is still running. Above all, I am curious how you will stop the bleeding for our community, school, administration, staff, and most importantly, students who have lost another coach to the personal agendas of school board members.
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