Non-faculty hirings raise question

“We ought to be very careful when we hire non-faculty coaches. For me, this is beyond what’s legal. It is about what is best for the kids.”
- Morton District 709 school board president Tom Neeley regarding the school board’s preference to hire only faculty members as coaches. June 2008

The aforementioned quote made in June 2008 by then school board member Tom Neeley, who is now president of the District 709 school board, is still relevant to him, as well as the board’s policy.

But, that raises a question following an April 20 school board decision to hire two non-faculty members as coaches, Luke Overcash and Tess Overcash. Both are children of Nancy Overcash, who serves as the school board’s vice president. That might make one think the school board’s policy changed.

Or, perhaps it was a matter of personal preference.

That is not the case said Neeley.

“I would hope that there was no influence because of that,” he said. “Typically, board members excuse themselves if there is even an appearance of a conflict of interest.”

In this case, Nancy abstained from the vote. But, the question remains — neither Luke or Tess are faculty within the district — how is it that they are now both coaches?

“Our preference is always that they’re on staff,” Neeley said. “Nobody came forward within.”

Tess will take over as cheerleading coach at Morton Junior High School. Luke will be the new coach for the sophomore football team.

The former MJHS coach resigned both her teaching and coaching duties at the school. There were no other applicants for the position, Neeley said.

Luke has been assistant coaching for a couple of years. There was one other applicant for the position. But, Overcash was hired because he was better qualified, Neeley said.

This school board decision comes after it cut about 60 positions within the district in March. Though layoffs are common, even in solid economic times, this year’s total was a bit higher.

These jobs were not just handed out, Neeley said.

“In both of those positions, we advertised,” he said.

There were postings on the District 709 Web site, he said.

“It is posted for all employees,” Neeley added. “There is always a posting of available jobs.

“There was no one on staff that applied,” he said.

Neeley added that the district’s policy to hire only those who are already teachers has been that way for a long time. In this case the district did not have any internal options.

“Once we exhaust that, we accept all applications and we pick the best person,” Neeley said.

Though it is not our place to criticize the qualifications of either of the Overcash’s in a coaching capacity, it is fair to argue that, perhaps, advertising in a more prominent fashion when the district has no applicants from within might open the door to more candidates for the positions.

It may seem too coincidental to be a coincidence. But, Neeley maintains the district went about the process as it normally would.

School board members are well aware that they are in the community spotlight as they seek support for a $16.8 million facility improvement plan. They, no doubt, need the trust of the electorate.

If this was anything more than a coincidence, it would be fair to question the school board’s respect toward fairness, openness and accountability.

But, it seems the district has its ducks in a row on this issue. It is only recommended that, for future coaching position openings, the district do a better job of publicizing their availability.