School Board 150 talks coaches and music

Last week, the trustees of Soda Springs School District 150 met for a regular meeting that turned out to be more than standing room only, with an annex worth of people outside the board room in the parking lot for much of the meeting.  In addition to the report from Soda Springs HS FFCLA students who will be going to Nationals, along with Sierra Muir who will be doing the same for Speech and Debate, the preponderance of people were in attendance for two points of discussion, the recent dismissal of basketball coach Tom Fueschsel, and cuts to the district’s music program.

In regards to the first matter, Coach Fuechsel spoke to the board about a recent decision to terminate his employment as a result of policy violations regarding the handling of money donated to the team for travel and eating expenses, which, it was stated during the meeting, was used directly for purchases, rather than being processed through the school first.  

While the matter itself might potentially have been resolved with a different outcome, a social media post by Coach Fuechsel was deemed to be another violation of the employee rules of conduct by the board and a discussion of the matter was held, though there did not appear to be a change in the outcome.  It was noted by board members as well as members of the audience that while the policies were available to employees by way of the handbook, and there was a tacit acknowledgement that employees were familiar with those policies, additional training could help prevent similar incidents in the future.

That approach was one suggested by Fuechsel himself, although Board Chairman Steven Barker stated that the social media post that had occurred early on during the situation had created a different set of circumstances that were not as easily remedied.

Debbie Hansen, musician and educator with School District 150, spoke on another issue that brought in a crowd of people, including many students from the music program.  It was recently determined that the music program within the district would be scaled back under the current budgetary conditions.  Hansen spoke on behalf of the music community both at large and at the high school/middle school, and read from a prepared statement, which is reprinted in this edition.

Hansen’s points were seemingly well-received by the board, members of which expressed sympathy with Hansen’s position, but again pointed to resources as the primary cause of the program reduction.