I find it ironic that the contract language that Mr. Buswell would like to question was partially put in place to protect coaches who are not part of the teacher's union. I was on the School Board’s Athletic Review Committee (now known as the Activities Review Committee) when this language was created. Before this language there was nothing in writing explaining how coaches were hired in our district. Yes, this language was put in place mainly for coaching and other advisory positions.

Before this language was put in place, every coaching or advisory position that was not held by a teacher was posted every year. This was even true for positions that were held by non-teaching members of our community for many years. I was the head volleyball coach in Tomah for six years. All of my assistants were not teachers. One assistant had been coaching at the high school level longer than I had been. I did not feel that it was right that she was not guaranteed her job every year. I wanted to change this process so that she, and others like her, would have their coaching jobs as long as they would want. Tomah has had many quality coaches that are not members of the teacher’s union. Shouldn’t these coaches be allowed to continue in those jobs as long as they are willing, not until an interested teacher comes along? That is what this language has done!

Mr. Buswell's states, “to claim that in all situations current TEA members are always the best choice defies logic.” I believe his statement defies logic. Any TEA member who applies for a position must be qualified in order to be hired for the position. They are not automatically given the position. These qualified teachers have professional teaching degrees which give them knowledge and practices to deal with students. They also have a commitment to the youth of Tomah since they are already working with them on a daily basis. Are these not qualifications for a good coach?

What I read into Mr. Buswell’s argument is that there are very few qualified teachers in the Tomah School District. This logic is shared with the many anonymous people writing on the Tomah Journal website. No wonder some of our sports programs are struggling. It would be hard for any coach to be successful when the parents and community are already assuming this person is not qualified for the job.

There are many coaching and advisory positions that go unfilled each year either by a teacher or community member. When no one applies for these positions, a TEA member is assigned to this position, meaning they do not have a choice. This has happened several times in recent years. If teachers can be assigned to fill positions, shouldn’t they have first chance at applying for these positions when they come available? Maybe this language should also be deleted from the contract. Then we would have to cut programs because there will not be a coach for the program.

Let’s look at other businesses with job openings. If there is a position open in a business and there is a person in that business that is qualified for the job, wouldn’t most businesses think it would be best to hire this person from within? This person knows the way the business works, and the business knows the work ethic of the person who has worked for them for many years.

Why does this logic change when it comes to coaching positions in the school district? A Tomah teacher would know what the school requires in following the Activities Code, how to keep track of a student fund account, and how to deal with privacy issues with grade restrictions and suspensions. The school administration would also know the character, work ethic, and dedication of the teacher.

I believe that the Tomah School District has many qualified teachers and coaches. They would be better teachers and coaches if the community would respect the work that they do.

Mary Shattuck is a teacher a Tomah Middle School and former head Tomah High School head volleyball coach.