http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/13086009p-13931014c.html
Center High football coach wins job back
By Molly Dugan -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, June 18, 2005
Digol J'Beily was officially reinstated as head football coach at Center High School on Friday, but some in the Antelope community are still seething with anger over his ouster.
The announcement by Center Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Jolly, who was given authority to appoint athletic coaches earlier this week, ends a month of turmoil in the district.
"It feels like a huge burden has been lifted," J'Beily said at Friday's football practice. "But there's still a lot of unanswered questions in my mind as to why this occurred." Trustees Scott Rodowick and Teri Ferguson voted against renewing J'Beily's coaching contract on May 18.
The decision prompted several student demonstrations, the resignations of 35 coaches and student activity advisers, and the launching of recall drives against Rodowick and Ferguson.
The coaches and advisers shredded their resignation letters as word of J'Beily's return spread, and many parents and students celebrated.
"We're ecstatic," said senior Mitch Higgins, a football player. "Finally, all of this is behind us."
Parent Mike Borkowski said he's relieved that the coaches have returned to the field.
"The school can start to concentrate on what it needs to do, both academically and athletically," Borkowski said. "But I don't think it's over in the sense that we're very disappointed with Rodowick and Ferguson."
A history teacher at the school, J'Beily, 36, was an assistant football coach for several years before becoming head coach in 2004.
He needed three of the five trustees' votes to keep his job, but trustee Raymond Bender, J'Beily's father-in-law, abstained from the May 18 vote, and another vote on June 3, because he is related to J'Beily.
Bender could vote, however, on a motion at Wednesday's board meeting to give the superintendent final say on all stipend positions - including athletic coaches. That vote was 3-2, with trustees Libby Williams and Nancy Anderson, who had supported J'Beily at the two earlier meetings, joining Bender.
"To me, it's about time order was restored," Bender said. "(Rodowick and Ferguson) were willing to throw out all the programs at the high school for the sake of their own agenda. It's an obvious abuse of power."
Rodowick and Ferguson both said they take responsibility for the removal of one coach and are not accountable for the mass resignations.
"It's disappointing that Ray Bender has gotten together with a couple of board members to change the rules to benefit his family member," Rodowick said. "I'm concerned that the board has given up some of its responsibilities."
Rodowick has been accused of using his position to retaliate against J'Beily for not making Rodowick's son the starting quarterback three years ago.
"It's unfortunate that it got so emotional and personal," Rodowick said Friday. "Ray Bender and his attack dog Nancy Anderson did that. Then they tried to frame it that I was upset about my son not playing quarterback. That has nothing to do with the issue."
Recall organizers said that despite J'Beily's reinstatement their efforts to remove the two trustees will continue.
"What happened was just wrong. There was no reason to put everyone through that," said parent John Olesen. "When elected officials don't listen to hundreds of people, then they must have their own agendas. I'm extremely angry."
Williams said she opposes the recall because of the cost, which the elections office has estimated at $80,000.
"Our district just does not have the money to do this," she said. "If we can get Mr. Bender and Mr. Rodowick to put their past aside ... I think we'll be OK."
Williams said the situation, to her surprise, got out of hand.
"It was like the high school was going to fall apart. In reality, that would never happen," she said Friday. "I would like to see us now get back to business."
After the initial ouster of J'Beily ignited student protests and the mass resignations, another board vote was scheduled at a special meeting on June 3.
Rodowick and Ferguson stuck to their positions, angering a crowd of 400 people. The two trustees were escorted out of the building by police.
As with the first vote, Ferguson did not give any reason for her opposition to the coach.
Although Rodowick had not given a reason after the first vote, he cited some issues with J'Beily after the second. He said that football players were told they needed to raise $100 before their first game, and that some players who missed practice because of a field trip to college campuses were prohibited from playing in the next game.
J'Beily's supporters said that Rodowick's accusations were either false or misleading and that the trustee was only trying to justify his vote.
Football players on Friday said they are united behind J'Beily.
"I've had good coaches, but he stands out," said senior quarterback and defensive back Kellen Sarnham. "(His ouster) doesn't make any sense. It was just really unnecessary and immature."
About the writer: The Bee's Molly Dugan can be reached at (916)773-7631 or mdugan@sacbee.com.
Center High football coach wins job back
By Molly Dugan -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, June 18, 2005
Digol J'Beily was officially reinstated as head football coach at Center High School on Friday, but some in the Antelope community are still seething with anger over his ouster.
The announcement by Center Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Jolly, who was given authority to appoint athletic coaches earlier this week, ends a month of turmoil in the district.
"It feels like a huge burden has been lifted," J'Beily said at Friday's football practice. "But there's still a lot of unanswered questions in my mind as to why this occurred." Trustees Scott Rodowick and Teri Ferguson voted against renewing J'Beily's coaching contract on May 18.
The decision prompted several student demonstrations, the resignations of 35 coaches and student activity advisers, and the launching of recall drives against Rodowick and Ferguson.
The coaches and advisers shredded their resignation letters as word of J'Beily's return spread, and many parents and students celebrated.
"We're ecstatic," said senior Mitch Higgins, a football player. "Finally, all of this is behind us."
Parent Mike Borkowski said he's relieved that the coaches have returned to the field.
"The school can start to concentrate on what it needs to do, both academically and athletically," Borkowski said. "But I don't think it's over in the sense that we're very disappointed with Rodowick and Ferguson."
A history teacher at the school, J'Beily, 36, was an assistant football coach for several years before becoming head coach in 2004.
He needed three of the five trustees' votes to keep his job, but trustee Raymond Bender, J'Beily's father-in-law, abstained from the May 18 vote, and another vote on June 3, because he is related to J'Beily.
Bender could vote, however, on a motion at Wednesday's board meeting to give the superintendent final say on all stipend positions - including athletic coaches. That vote was 3-2, with trustees Libby Williams and Nancy Anderson, who had supported J'Beily at the two earlier meetings, joining Bender.
"To me, it's about time order was restored," Bender said. "(Rodowick and Ferguson) were willing to throw out all the programs at the high school for the sake of their own agenda. It's an obvious abuse of power."
Rodowick and Ferguson both said they take responsibility for the removal of one coach and are not accountable for the mass resignations.
"It's disappointing that Ray Bender has gotten together with a couple of board members to change the rules to benefit his family member," Rodowick said. "I'm concerned that the board has given up some of its responsibilities."
Rodowick has been accused of using his position to retaliate against J'Beily for not making Rodowick's son the starting quarterback three years ago.
"It's unfortunate that it got so emotional and personal," Rodowick said Friday. "Ray Bender and his attack dog Nancy Anderson did that. Then they tried to frame it that I was upset about my son not playing quarterback. That has nothing to do with the issue."
Recall organizers said that despite J'Beily's reinstatement their efforts to remove the two trustees will continue.
"What happened was just wrong. There was no reason to put everyone through that," said parent John Olesen. "When elected officials don't listen to hundreds of people, then they must have their own agendas. I'm extremely angry."
Williams said she opposes the recall because of the cost, which the elections office has estimated at $80,000.
"Our district just does not have the money to do this," she said. "If we can get Mr. Bender and Mr. Rodowick to put their past aside ... I think we'll be OK."
Williams said the situation, to her surprise, got out of hand.
"It was like the high school was going to fall apart. In reality, that would never happen," she said Friday. "I would like to see us now get back to business."
After the initial ouster of J'Beily ignited student protests and the mass resignations, another board vote was scheduled at a special meeting on June 3.
Rodowick and Ferguson stuck to their positions, angering a crowd of 400 people. The two trustees were escorted out of the building by police.
As with the first vote, Ferguson did not give any reason for her opposition to the coach.
Although Rodowick had not given a reason after the first vote, he cited some issues with J'Beily after the second. He said that football players were told they needed to raise $100 before their first game, and that some players who missed practice because of a field trip to college campuses were prohibited from playing in the next game.
J'Beily's supporters said that Rodowick's accusations were either false or misleading and that the trustee was only trying to justify his vote.
Football players on Friday said they are united behind J'Beily.
"I've had good coaches, but he stands out," said senior quarterback and defensive back Kellen Sarnham. "(His ouster) doesn't make any sense. It was just really unnecessary and immature."
About the writer: The Bee's Molly Dugan can be reached at (916)773-7631 or mdugan@sacbee.com.
) have tried, they haven't been able to smear J'Beily.