Updated at 11:30p with details
(WGTD)---Two part-time coaches will resign in the wake of criticism over a banquet for Tremper cheerleaders last year that featured awards that were based on the physical attributes of some of the winners. The controversy triggered a discussion over body-shaming and sexual harassment and made national headlines.
Following a school board meeting Tuesday night, KUSD Superintendent Sue Savaglio-Jarvis disclosed that the resignations will take effect at the end of the season. A third coach--a newer member of the staff--will presumably remain. All of the coaches have full-time jobs outside of KUSD and are paid to coach on the side.
Savaglio-Jarvis confirmed that the three coaches were banned last week by the Wisconsin Association for Cheer and Pom from leading the team to an upcoming tournament.
A properly-certified coach from outside of the district will fill in, she said. In addition, a pair of Tremper staff members--a nurse and a counselor--will chaperrone.
The replacement coach met with the team on Monday and was warmly accepted by the students, said Savaglio-Jarvis, who met personally with team members and their parents several days beforehand.
The resignations don't necessarily end the matter. For one thing, the district has sent invitations to the cheerleaders and their parents, asking if they'd like to meet individually with district officials to air any grievances and offer perspectives. "We may not know all of the information. We need to understand how deep this is," Savaglio-Jarvis said.
The invitation has been extended to past team members.
Shortly after the first complaints were received last year, Tremper administrators directed the coaches to write letters of apology but allowed them to remain. Some parents apparently felt stronger actions were in order and notified the American Civil Liberties Union, which eventually sent a letter to the district on the parents' behalf. That's when the story broke.
At Tuesday night's meeting, School Board President Dan Wade condemned the actions of the coaches, calling the awards "vile and insensitive," but he also criticized national news outlets and questioned why the ACLU took so long to bring the issue forward. He also implied that Tremper officials had handled the matter adequately last year. Wade said the coaches did not have ill intent.
Board members Rebecca Stevens and Gary Kunich also weighed in. "I'm angry about it," Kunich said. "I think this district failed."
References to the cheer coaches being banned from the upcoming tournament were originally made by a citizen who spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting.
-0-