PETITION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING CONCERNS IN THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

To the Members of the Olney ISD School Board and Superintendent 

We, the members of the community, parents, and supporters of Olney athletics, are deeply concerned with the current state of the athletic department and the decision-making that has led to its instability. While the school board has expressed a commitment to serving the best interests of students and the community, the actions taken, or lack thereof, regarding our athletic programs do not align with these stated priorities.

At the beginning of this school year, our athletic department had nine coaches. Today, we are down to five, reflecting a 45% loss and a retention rate of just 55%. Even more concerning, the department was already notably understaffed to begin with, making these departures even more detrimental. Additionally, there are reports of more staff considering leaving. This pattern is not sustainable and raises serious concerns about the leadership and direction of our athletic programs.

Safety Standards & Inconsistent Protocol Enforcement

Staff members in our schools are required to follow strict safety protocols to protect students, including supervision guidelines, emergency response procedures, and staff-to-student oversight policies. However, these same safety measures are not being upheld in athletics due to the severe lack of staff. The number of students under the supervision of too few coaches is not only unmanageable—it is a serious safety concern. In any other department, allowing this level of understaffing would be considered negligence.

If we take safety seriously in our classrooms, hallways, and extracurricular activities, why is the same level of care and accountability not being applied to our student-athletes? The well-being of our students should never be compromised, yet the current state of our athletic department fails to meet even the most basic safety expectations.

Lack of Stability and Leadership in Girls’ Athletics

Currently, there are no head coaches for girls’ athletics at the JH level. If an entire subject department in the school were left without leadership, immediate action would be taken. The hypocrisy in how athletic success is valued compared to academic success is beyond comprehension. Student-athletes deserve the same level of structure, stability, and investment in their development as their academic counterparts.

Retention Issues and the Risk of Panic Hiring

The inability to retain qualified coaches leads to rushed hiring decisions, which only perpetuate the same problems. The instability in coaching affects our athletes directly, creating inconsistency in their development and experience. We cannot continue to cycle through staff at this alarming rate without addressing the root causes of these departures.

Concerns with the Athletic Director’s Leadership

The current Athletic Director, hired last year with 25 years of experience, has failed to live up to the expectations he set during the hiring process. He emphasized the importance of youth sports and community involvement, yet his leadership has driven away quality coaches rather than fostering a program that retains them. Leadership is about more than giving orders—it’s about building relationships, trust, and a vision for long-term success. Coaches who feel valued and supported will remain even during difficult seasons.

Our Demands for Accountability and Transparency

We request direct and specific answers from the school board regarding:
 1. How do you plan to stabilize the athletic department and prevent further staff losses?
 2. What steps will be taken to ensure that girls’ athletics receive the leadership and structure they deserve?
 3. How will you address the failure to meet proper safety protocols due to understaffing?
 4. What measures will be put in place to evaluate the performance of the Athletic Director and hold him accountable?
 5. How will the school board and superintendent ensure that future hiring decisions prioritize long-term program success rather than short-term fixes?
 6. How will you involve the community and parents in discussions regarding the future of the athletic department?

We will not stand by and watch our athletic programs decline due to poor leadership and a lack of accountability. If necessary, we will compare retention rates in neighboring districts to highlight the severity of our situation. The school board must uphold its responsibility to students, parents, and the community by addressing these concerns with urgency.

We, Olney community demand that our voices be heard and that tangible action is taken to restore stability, leadership, and excellence to our athletic programs.