No Decision On Tiger Coach's Fate
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Monday, at the end of a four-hour special school board meeting, the Warsaw School Board voted unanimously to meet with Ogle in executive session again to discuss his performance as coach. They previously met with him Friday.[[In-content Ad]]Ogle and the full school board will meet in executive session with Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth, Warsaw Community Education Association Union President Terry Sims, WCHS current principal Dr. Jennifer Lucht and Troy Akers, WCHS principal beginning next year, and anyone Ogle requests be present.
No meeting date was set because involved parties had to check their schedules.
Near the start of Monday's meeting, Haworth said, "I will not recommend any action for or against the current coach until the new athletic director, new principal and I evaluate him at the conclusion of next season."
Haworth said his role as a superintendent is to make recommendations to the board and the board acts on those recommendations. It is an unwritten policy of the school corporation, Haworth said, that coaches are re-employed from season to season unless a reason to end a contract is provided.
More than 225 people attended Monday's meeting, with four people speaking against retaining Ogle as coach and about three dozen speaking on Ogle's behalf. The meeting had to be moved from the central administration office to the Washington Elementary School gymnasium next door because of the crowd.
Sims said he wasn't aware of the severity of the issue over Ogle until last week. What was disturbing to him, Sims said, was how much more this community knew than he did as the union president.
For the 2006-07 season, Athletic Director Dave Fulkerson gave Ogle a good evaluation, Sims said. For 2007-08, Ogle "mysteriously" did not receive an evaluation.
"As I stand before you tonight, I still don't know what the issue is," said Sims. In his 26 years of being a WCEA member, Sims said he never found himself having to defend someone and not knowing what to defend. The lack of an evaluation clearly is a violation of due process, Sims said.
"The broader issue here is not just Doug Ogle," Sims said. The broader issue is who is next, he said.
Later in the meeting, Haworth said he asked Fulkerson not to evaluate Ogle because Haworth felt there was a great amount of animosity between Ogle and Fulkerson and an evaluation would not be productive. Haworth said he thought it would be best if the new athletic director and high school principal evaluate Ogle.
School board member Deb Wiggins said the board did not receive a recommendation from Haworth on Ogle until Monday night when he recommended Ogle be evaluated after next season by the new school administration.
She also said all seven school board members should be in attendance at the meeting when a decision is made. Board Secretary Gene England was absent Monday.
Lucht, in her comments to the board, said Ogle met all three goals he was asked to meet for the 2007-08 year. He won the sectional, he had a winning season and he was in the top half of the Northern Lakes Conference.
The issue is not just about Ogle, Lucht said. She said it is about all her staff, especially those with extracurricular positions. The extracurricular staff hasn't had a pay raise since 1993, she said, so it was obvious they don't do it for the pay but for the love of the students and in seeing the students succeed.
The concern among the staff, Lucht said, is if Ogle's coaching duties come to an end, "What position is next? Who's next?"
In an e-mail sent to Warsaw Schools staff members from Lucht, obtained by the Times-Union, Lucht said, "It is very important that as many staff members as possible attend this meeting tonight. The outcome of this meeting could affect all of us in the future.
"The school board intends to vote on Doug Ogle's basketball coaching contract. Apparently, the intention is to terminate Doug's contract."
Lucht then lists six of her concerns, some of which she stated at Monday's meeting.
Jeff Johnson was the first of four people who spoke in opposition to retaining Ogle. Johnson said it's not about Ogle, but about Warsaw basketball.
Initially, Johnson said he was pro-Ogle, but now he is leaning the other way. Ogle is a great human being, but Johnson said Ogle has alienated people in the community.
Tom Edgar, Warsaw's self-described biggest fan, said Ogle is a fine man, but when Warsaw, with a high school student population of more than 2,000, sets its goal to be above .500, that's lowered expectations.
Edgar said he didn't understand the politics of the situation, but maybe Warsaw Schools is like a mafia family, they take care of you and "keep it in the family."
"I think we should set our goals higher, I think we can," Edgar said.
Mary Ann Irwin made several accusations against Ogle. One accusation included that Ogle told her 13-year-old grandson to transfer to Whitko because his family would probably move there eventually anyway and it wouldn't be fair to other players for him to get playing time.
David Wayne later said Irwin wasn't telling the truth, but the boy's mother confirmed that Irwin was telling the truth.
Irwin also asked, "Why are nationally ranked athletes winning championships for other schools and not home schools?"
Jack Edison, former Plymouth High School coach, spoke highly of Ogle. He said, "Coaching for several years against teams and coaches around the state, there's a lot of good ones. Coach Ogle is a notch above. He's one of the good ones."
Among the others speaking on behalf of Ogle were Tom Abbitt, Dick Rooker, Rick Keeven, JoAnna Allison, Paul Finley, Eric Blanton, Chase Byerly, Justin Clemens, Taylor Long, Alex Nulf, Lee Compson, Sherri Stoller, Fred Nieter, Mary Haeck, Ogle's three daughters, Tracy Furnivall, Kim Kesler, Troy Furnivall, Jim Kessler, Zach Anderson, Andy Tucker, Jeannie McCormack, Matt Moore, Steve Hollar, Dan Wray, Dave Anson, Brian Swanson, Merl Heckaman, Aaron Wolfe, Scott Schramm, Janet Price, Doug's mother Maxine Ogle, Gary Fribley and Jeff Grose.
The list of supporters who spoke included four players and a student manager. Three other players attended but did not speak. There are a total of 17 players on varsity and junior varsity.
Even though school board members had not planned to speak, School Board Vice President Dan Robinson said he felt compelled to speak.
"I don't care about the win-loss record," said Robinson. "I want to say that publicly."
Why was the meeting being held? Robinson said that is a good question. Why wasn't procedure followed in 2006? he asked. On more than one occasion this year, Robinson said the school board asked for a recommendation on Ogle. They never received one. Robinson said he was tired of hearing about it.
"It is extremely disappointing it has come to this that one person is greater than the entire school system," Robinson said.
Despite accusations made during Monday's hearing, Robinson said the school board was not doing anything illegal.
Traditionally, the administration gives recommendations to the board. It hasn't been done, and the issue needs resolved. Robinson said they couldn't let this go on. Ogle is a good man, he said, and the board did not set out to discuss that, but the future of the program and what's best.
"Basketball is not the most important thing in Warsaw, no matter what they say. I'm mad," Robinson said.
The board is not neglecting its duties or responsibilities. Hiring and/or firing of all coaches is the responsibility of the board, according to state law, Robinson said.
Tammy Dalton, school board member, said this isn't the first year the coach issue has come before the school board. It's been on the radar the last two years, but Warsaw had a superintendent issue for a number of years before Haworth was hired.
Of the phone calls she's received, Dalton said she received five calls against Ogle, but only one for him.
Chuck Sauders, school board member, said he agrees it is the responsibility of the school board to hire and fire, but it must be done ethically and according to procedure.
"We have a procedure that has not been followed," Sauders said.
He said teachers have to know their jobs are protected, and that you have to stand up for what's right.
"I'm ready tonight, I know we're not going to, to vote tonight because I know what's right," he said.
Robinson added later, "No matter what we do tonight, part of the community will think we don't listen to them, and the other part of the community will feel we don't listen to them."
Ogle spoke at the end of the meeting, thanking all his supporters.
Monday, at the end of a four-hour special school board meeting, the Warsaw School Board voted unanimously to meet with Ogle in executive session again to discuss his performance as coach. They previously met with him Friday.[[In-content Ad]]Ogle and the full school board will meet in executive session with Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth, Warsaw Community Education Association Union President Terry Sims, WCHS current principal Dr. Jennifer Lucht and Troy Akers, WCHS principal beginning next year, and anyone Ogle requests be present.
No meeting date was set because involved parties had to check their schedules.
Near the start of Monday's meeting, Haworth said, "I will not recommend any action for or against the current coach until the new athletic director, new principal and I evaluate him at the conclusion of next season."
Haworth said his role as a superintendent is to make recommendations to the board and the board acts on those recommendations. It is an unwritten policy of the school corporation, Haworth said, that coaches are re-employed from season to season unless a reason to end a contract is provided.
More than 225 people attended Monday's meeting, with four people speaking against retaining Ogle as coach and about three dozen speaking on Ogle's behalf. The meeting had to be moved from the central administration office to the Washington Elementary School gymnasium next door because of the crowd.
Sims said he wasn't aware of the severity of the issue over Ogle until last week. What was disturbing to him, Sims said, was how much more this community knew than he did as the union president.
For the 2006-07 season, Athletic Director Dave Fulkerson gave Ogle a good evaluation, Sims said. For 2007-08, Ogle "mysteriously" did not receive an evaluation.
"As I stand before you tonight, I still don't know what the issue is," said Sims. In his 26 years of being a WCEA member, Sims said he never found himself having to defend someone and not knowing what to defend. The lack of an evaluation clearly is a violation of due process, Sims said.
"The broader issue here is not just Doug Ogle," Sims said. The broader issue is who is next, he said.
Later in the meeting, Haworth said he asked Fulkerson not to evaluate Ogle because Haworth felt there was a great amount of animosity between Ogle and Fulkerson and an evaluation would not be productive. Haworth said he thought it would be best if the new athletic director and high school principal evaluate Ogle.
School board member Deb Wiggins said the board did not receive a recommendation from Haworth on Ogle until Monday night when he recommended Ogle be evaluated after next season by the new school administration.
She also said all seven school board members should be in attendance at the meeting when a decision is made. Board Secretary Gene England was absent Monday.
Lucht, in her comments to the board, said Ogle met all three goals he was asked to meet for the 2007-08 year. He won the sectional, he had a winning season and he was in the top half of the Northern Lakes Conference.
The issue is not just about Ogle, Lucht said. She said it is about all her staff, especially those with extracurricular positions. The extracurricular staff hasn't had a pay raise since 1993, she said, so it was obvious they don't do it for the pay but for the love of the students and in seeing the students succeed.
The concern among the staff, Lucht said, is if Ogle's coaching duties come to an end, "What position is next? Who's next?"
In an e-mail sent to Warsaw Schools staff members from Lucht, obtained by the Times-Union, Lucht said, "It is very important that as many staff members as possible attend this meeting tonight. The outcome of this meeting could affect all of us in the future.
"The school board intends to vote on Doug Ogle's basketball coaching contract. Apparently, the intention is to terminate Doug's contract."
Lucht then lists six of her concerns, some of which she stated at Monday's meeting.
Jeff Johnson was the first of four people who spoke in opposition to retaining Ogle. Johnson said it's not about Ogle, but about Warsaw basketball.
Initially, Johnson said he was pro-Ogle, but now he is leaning the other way. Ogle is a great human being, but Johnson said Ogle has alienated people in the community.
Tom Edgar, Warsaw's self-described biggest fan, said Ogle is a fine man, but when Warsaw, with a high school student population of more than 2,000, sets its goal to be above .500, that's lowered expectations.
Edgar said he didn't understand the politics of the situation, but maybe Warsaw Schools is like a mafia family, they take care of you and "keep it in the family."
"I think we should set our goals higher, I think we can," Edgar said.
Mary Ann Irwin made several accusations against Ogle. One accusation included that Ogle told her 13-year-old grandson to transfer to Whitko because his family would probably move there eventually anyway and it wouldn't be fair to other players for him to get playing time.
David Wayne later said Irwin wasn't telling the truth, but the boy's mother confirmed that Irwin was telling the truth.
Irwin also asked, "Why are nationally ranked athletes winning championships for other schools and not home schools?"
Jack Edison, former Plymouth High School coach, spoke highly of Ogle. He said, "Coaching for several years against teams and coaches around the state, there's a lot of good ones. Coach Ogle is a notch above. He's one of the good ones."
Among the others speaking on behalf of Ogle were Tom Abbitt, Dick Rooker, Rick Keeven, JoAnna Allison, Paul Finley, Eric Blanton, Chase Byerly, Justin Clemens, Taylor Long, Alex Nulf, Lee Compson, Sherri Stoller, Fred Nieter, Mary Haeck, Ogle's three daughters, Tracy Furnivall, Kim Kesler, Troy Furnivall, Jim Kessler, Zach Anderson, Andy Tucker, Jeannie McCormack, Matt Moore, Steve Hollar, Dan Wray, Dave Anson, Brian Swanson, Merl Heckaman, Aaron Wolfe, Scott Schramm, Janet Price, Doug's mother Maxine Ogle, Gary Fribley and Jeff Grose.
The list of supporters who spoke included four players and a student manager. Three other players attended but did not speak. There are a total of 17 players on varsity and junior varsity.
Even though school board members had not planned to speak, School Board Vice President Dan Robinson said he felt compelled to speak.
"I don't care about the win-loss record," said Robinson. "I want to say that publicly."
Why was the meeting being held? Robinson said that is a good question. Why wasn't procedure followed in 2006? he asked. On more than one occasion this year, Robinson said the school board asked for a recommendation on Ogle. They never received one. Robinson said he was tired of hearing about it.
"It is extremely disappointing it has come to this that one person is greater than the entire school system," Robinson said.
Despite accusations made during Monday's hearing, Robinson said the school board was not doing anything illegal.
Traditionally, the administration gives recommendations to the board. It hasn't been done, and the issue needs resolved. Robinson said they couldn't let this go on. Ogle is a good man, he said, and the board did not set out to discuss that, but the future of the program and what's best.
"Basketball is not the most important thing in Warsaw, no matter what they say. I'm mad," Robinson said.
The board is not neglecting its duties or responsibilities. Hiring and/or firing of all coaches is the responsibility of the board, according to state law, Robinson said.
Tammy Dalton, school board member, said this isn't the first year the coach issue has come before the school board. It's been on the radar the last two years, but Warsaw had a superintendent issue for a number of years before Haworth was hired.
Of the phone calls she's received, Dalton said she received five calls against Ogle, but only one for him.
Chuck Sauders, school board member, said he agrees it is the responsibility of the school board to hire and fire, but it must be done ethically and according to procedure.
"We have a procedure that has not been followed," Sauders said.
He said teachers have to know their jobs are protected, and that you have to stand up for what's right.
"I'm ready tonight, I know we're not going to, to vote tonight because I know what's right," he said.
Robinson added later, "No matter what we do tonight, part of the community will think we don't listen to them, and the other part of the community will feel we don't listen to them."
Ogle spoke at the end of the meeting, thanking all his supporters.
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