At the Kingsland School Board’s monthly meeting on November 19, with all members present (Doug Plaehn, Ann Oeltjen, Leah Stier, Jackie Horsman, Tiffany Mundfrom, and Superintendent James Hecimovich), the board heard a plea for, and a plea against, making a football coaching change. No action was taken on the issue, but the board held a “closed meeting” of nearly an hour to discuss Coach Brent Stinson.
Prior to the closed meeting, Josh Hogberg addressed the board, stating in part, “During my time in this community, I’ve noticed a lot of turnover in coaches. Five for football, six for volleyball, eight for girls basketball… There hasn’t even been consistency in the position that oversees the coaches… Successful programs need consistency.” He went on to explain that he feels Coach Stinson has met the goals set for him, especially increasing participation numbers. Hogberg added, “Let’s be careful in just looking at wins and losses. Mr. Stinson has worked hard at keeping his players academically eligible… By removing Mr. Stinson as head coach, we would lose one of the few teachers who is a head coach. We would lose the consistency in coaching that is needed by the students… And you, the Kingsland School Board of Education, would be saying that the goals you set three years ago, and have been met, were not your actual goals.”
Next, Erin Mundfrom spoke, informing the board that his concern is accountability. He shared that he was a youth football coach for several years, and a junior high football coach this year. He said, in part, “I believe Mr. Stinson is a great teacher… My concern, though, is with the way he is running our football program… (but) I do believe parents and student-athletes are part to blame as well… (but) when our coach preaches accountability, but appoints a kid as captain in each of the last two seasons, and those kids do not show up to captains’ practice and do not act as leaders, I do not believe that’s an example of accountability.” He added that he has heard from several coaches saying Mr. Stinson is not open to suggestions from others.
Although the board discussed Mr. Stinson in a closed meeting, Doug Plaehn explained that board policy stipulates that no action would be taken on the matter during the same meeting. The matter will be discussed for possible action in December.
Regarding the current vacant seat on the Kingsland School Board (due to the resignation of Heather Betts), the board voted to appoint Leah Stier to fill the vacancy. The board also voted to welcome Zachary Queensland as student representative to the board. It was explained that he will not be a voting member, and will not participate in closed personnel meetings, and will not receive any reimbursement for his participation.
The board heard from two students representing the FFA club, who told of recent and upcoming FFA events, including the $4,500 raised recently through the corn drive. The board also heard from a student regarding Key Club events.
An increase in the 2018-2019 substitute pay, from $9.65 to $9.86 hourly was approved, due to an increase in minimum wage. The board approved a three-year renewal of the contract with SMS, which provides for Amber Herbrand to serve as business manager. The next “work session” board meeting will be Monday, December 3, at 6 p.m. in the conference room, and the next regular board meeting will be December 17 in choir room (starting with the annual Truth in Taxation hearing at 6:01 p.m.) As always, the public is welcome.
Leave a Reply