[Joe Friday]

Don Burke was already approved to coach softball by the SBDM for the 2009 - 2010 school year. He resigned in June. He resigned because parents complained about the favoritism and selection of the region all tournament team players (I understand that names were placed in a hat and drawn). That did not bode well because the players and the parents believed the tournament statistics spoke for themselves. He resigned, he was not fired!

Mr. Burke is a SBDM member. Two positions had to be eliminated due to projected student enrollment (less than 390 or so). One position was an assistant principal position that was created two years prior and projected to last two years - it did and that was the easy elimination. A majority vote could not be reached on whether an English Teacher or PE Teacher position should be eliminated. Remember, these are positions and not persons that were supposed to be eliminated but some on the SBDM voiced their concerns that a personality (Mark Martin) was being targeted instead of a position. Ms. Hall came in with a new proposal to eliminate the remediation position which passed 5 - 1. Mr. Burke voted in favor of the proposal, the one dissenter did not run for SBDM for 2009 - 2010.

As for the weight lifting thing - I understand it is more because of liability. Mr. Burke is 'certified' to teach social studies and Mr. Martin is 'certified' to teach physical education. What does weight training fall under - PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

Parents, like teachers, are elected to the SBDM annually. The two parents with the most votes win.