PHS baseball coach questions contract nonrenewal

POMEROY–The Pomeroy School District Board of Directors (PSD) heard audience input on their decision not to renew the high school baseball coaching contract with Dave Boyer at their meeting on July 27. The decision was made to open up the position for application in order to hear fresh ideas and perspectives on baseball.

"It's not a firing," Board Member Jeremy Nelson stated. "We are only opening up application." Boyer is welcome to reapply for the coaching position, and the board is confident they will have a coach for the next baseball season.

Boyer came before the board to express his dismay with the decision. He cited his team's excellent record and the evaluations he has received from athletic directors as reasons against his non-renewal, and stated that he did not understand the board's decision.

Jesse Mings, father of three of last season's players, attended the meeting to give his support to Boyer. He stated that last year his sons enjoyed the best season he had seen them play, and praised Boyer for his commitment to his players' growth, both in their baseball skills and in their lives. He expressed his appreciation for the baseball knowledge that Boyer and his fellow coaches bring to the field.

Coaching positions for high school golf and high school softball are open following the resignation of golf coach Tom Ruchert and softball coach Jessica Nelson.

The board also approved the 2021-2022 budget for PSD, which includes extra state funding for the added transitional kindergarten grade. The budget also includes a 4% increase in all PSD salaries. Business Manager Kelly McKeirnan expressed his confidence in the budget. "We're pretty solid financially." McKeirnan said.

Further business the board handled was the acceptance of Coleman Oil's $99,000 bid for the 2021-2022 fuel contract. Coleman Oil was the only company to submit a bid.

PSD board also approved out-of-field teaching assignments for Nettie Severs, Fred Knebel, Kristina Knebel, and Jessica Wolf. Out-of-field is defined as a teacher lacking the credentials for the particular subject, wherein the board must approve their assignment. Severs is approved to teach Geometry and Weights, Fred Knebel to teach Weights, Kristina Knebel to teach Spanish, and Wolf to teach Weights. The number of Weights teachers reflects the current uncertainty of the 2021-22 schedule, as well as the possibility of hiring a band teacher.

Also approved at the meeting was the hiring of two teachers, Brooke Lovgren for transitional Kindergarten and Annie McKeirnan for third grade. The hires are part of PSD's efforts to maintain a 17:1 student to teacher ratio for K-3 grades.