District And Coaches Settle

WAITSBURG - Volleyball coaches Jessie and Katie Buehler said they felt exonerated

Tuesday night after the Waitsburg School District took the formal step of "vacating" their suspensions at a special meeting of its board.

"The Board has determined that, in the best interest of all parties concerned, the coaches and, particularly, the student athletes and their families, the suspension be vacated," according to a statement prepared by the district. "The Waitsburg School Board believes that this result puts this matter to rest."

The board members and coaches signed a settlement agreement that calls for the district's letters of suspension to the Buehlers to be "vacated from the date of its issue (Nov. 18)" in exchange for the coaches' withdrawal of their notice of appeal of the suspension before the board.

The Waitsburg school board includes Ross Hamann, Marilyn Johnson, Terry Jacoy, Greg Zuger and Dr. Randy Pearson.

Pearson was absent at the meeting but is expected to review and sign the agreement.

Although "vacation" does not technically reverse the suspension, it eliminates mention of it in the coaches' personnel file and satisfies the Buehlers' request for relief. They had not asked for any financial compensation beyond their contract pay.

The board had scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday night to hear the coaches' appeal. In preparation for it, Mike Hubbard, the Buehlers' attorney, had submitted to them a lengthy brief challenging the district's allegation that the coaches engaged in "bullying, intimidation and harassment" during a meeting of the volleyball team on Nov. 13.

The allegation, based on a complaint from one of the volleyball players' mother, was used by the district as grounds for the coaches' suspension with pay and with cause for the short remainder of the season. The suspension was upheld by district Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke after a first-level, six-hour appeal hearing on Dec. 1.

In his brief, Hubbard said that "neither the evidence nor the law supports that ruling. (hellip;) This board is asked in fairness and in recognition of the necessary dynamics between coaches and players to vacate those suspensions. You can bring this matter to an end."

In the prepared statement, the board said it is revising the district's policy and procedures regarding harassment, intimidation and bullying "to be consistent with legislative action in 2010 that focuses on a greater awareness and reporting" in the school environment to "ensure greater protections are provided to the students. (See related story on page 11)

"This revision of policy will affirm the district's commitment to the safety of its students," the statement continued. "All staff including coaches will receive annual training on the district's policy and procedures."

The coaches said they welcomed their settlement with the district after two months of tense administrative proceedings that could have ended in court.

" We're really happy," former head coach Jessie Buehler said. "We did nothing worse than any of the coaches there (at the WP sports combine). Our intentions were turned around on us."

At the same time, the Buehlers, who have admitted all along that their handling of the team meeting was flawed but also believe their suspension was unreasonable, said they have learned to be more careful as coaches.

"It's a very sensitive job," Katie Buehler said about their position as athletic mentors. "Coaches and athletes tend to be instinctive (in sports), going with a gut feeling. Now we know we have to take more time with discipline. It might make me a better coach in the end."

The Buehlers said they are currently gearing up to coach softball at Walla Walla Community College and want to focus on the upcoming season there before making any decisions about their future.

They left the door open to returning to the WP sports combine in the fall.

"The girls (athletes) want me back, and it hurt to leave them," Jessie Buehler said. "They're the reason I'd come back."

Hubbard said the settlement agreement is positive for the coaches and the district.

"This settlement gives my clients the result they wanted," he said. "A coach has to have the power to discipline, encourage and instruct. A lesson was learned by all."