This petition is presented to the board of trustees of George Walton Academy on behalf of concerned students, alumni, and families. It’s been brought to our attention that Shane Davis, The Walton Tribune’s 2020 Coach of the Year, is in danger of losing his position at GWA, despite his stellar performance and reputation in the community and beyond. GWA’s football team has thrived under Coach Davis’s leadership, and he is a trusted, lifelong educator and coach who works with integrity and passion. Coach Davis teaches his players how to play the difficult games of football and life, instilling Christian principles of grace and forgiveness while striving for excellence and discovering their best selves. We understand that Dr. Dolan, as Head of School, has ultimate and unilateral power to hire and fire faculty and staff without board oversight or approval. As current and future investors in GWA, we insist the by-laws be amended to mandate board oversight and approval for staff and faculty hiring and firing, and, in the case of the coaches, to include the Athletic Director’s concurrence. We believe this action is consistent with GWA’s values and will remove even an appearance of impropriety or abuse of power related to staffing decisions. Further, by signing this petition, we insist Shane Davis be reinstated as head football coach for GWA so that he may continue to positively influence and form students and players. He is an excellent leader and beyond reproach. We are fortunate