[quote name='AlexHamilton' date='Sep 2 2008, 10:08 PM' post='431937']
Another issue raised repeatedly was the sudden resignation of Gayne Deshler, a football coach at Donegal for 29 years, four of them as an unpaid volunteer.

"It is my opinion that you as a board have a serious problem and you need to look into getting some leadership," said Walt Price, a Donegal district teacher for 40 years. "Your actions have resulted in negative publicity to this school district and it's on you."
Arlen Mummau, a Donegal school district resident and athletic director at Penn Manor High School, spoke twice before the board but was stopped by Spangler from addressing the board a third time.

"I'm challenging the board," said Mummau. "I'm speaking for a lot of people who are talking to me in the community. I'm challenging you to make some quality decisions."

Mummau said later that he is concerned with the reputation Donegal School District is getting in the educational community, including incidents with the two girls basketball coaches, the resignation of Deshler, and the high turnover rate among administrators and principals in the district.

"When you put all this in one basket, there's a lot of stuff," said Mummau. "Somebody has to say, "Why is all this happening?' "

Mummau also said, "I think the district could say, we want to publicly address this up front, just be honest. They didn't do any of that. When you don't do that it looks like there is a rat, like are you hiding something."

Mummau urged the board to examine their hiring practices for coaches and to check into Donegal alumni that might be available to take the head football coaching position.

He asked the board to seriously consider a motion supported by board members Jim Shrum and John Murphy Jr. that would delay hiring a new football coach.

That motion failed and the board, by a 7-2 vote, voted to hire Bill Groff as the head football coach.

Deshler reportedly resigned after a meeting with athletic director Kennedy, who told him the school district was adopting a policy that would not allow retired teachers to coach for free.
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Native Blue you had one of the most well respected coaches in the county and who was coaching for FREE. Basically forced out of his position by the old school board, Willis Spangler and his buddies who also gave Woody Sites the shaft another well respected member of the community. This speaks voulumes to the way the district was flushed down the toilet by the old school board. They did what they wanted and everyone can go tell hell. I personally have had enough, its time to make things right. When is the last time a Donegal football team actually won a game they were not favored in?? They need a leader with who knows how to coach and give these kids a swagger in their stride

I'm less concerned with whether the kids are winning games, but very concerned about well-respected teachers, administrators and coaches who have worked with generations of kids getting "the shaft." Basically if Walt Price thinks it was a raw deal, than *I* think it's a raw deal!!! :-)

PS-Woody Sites rocks!

I agree with you, but I also feel that when you a have a bunch of individuals coming together to achieve something great, it will develop a sense of pride in this community that is sadly lacking. The struggle of the fight builds character I see lacking in these kids. That needs to come from a leader to show kids how fight and get back up when you get knocked down.