For more on Paul Press and Frazier Mountain High School, go to Falcatraz Online
By Dina Armendariz
I received some news yesterday that will have an adverse effect on many of us in
the mountain communities. In many ways it is an old disease that has come back
to attack us and the only cure is for all to gather and fight back as one. The
disease is "Power" in the hands of a few that can make a decision that impacts all
of us in a negative way. I am speaking about the termination of Paul Press as our
Head Football Coach at FMHS and the fact that according to our Education Code,
a teacher can be terminated within the first two years from date of hire and no
reason has to be given.
I called Superintendent Dean Bentley who verified the Education Code but went
on to say that while the teacher being terminated does not have to be given a
reason, the "notice of non re-elect" is not something that is just arbitrarily done. In
other words, there is a reason but those allowed to know are the school Principal
and the Superintendent. He also said that even after the notice is given, it can be
reversed; but, again, it has to be done by the school Principal who initiated the
"non re-elect", and a valid reason for the reversal has to be given to the
Superintendent.
I am a resident of Frazier Park with two students at FMHS. Our whole family has
come in contact with Coach Paul Press. I can tell you this much-- from the first
day he came to town, he had a very positive impact. He communicated with
parents, students and community businesses and leaders. He followed through
with everything he said he would do. He has been strict with his football players,
not only in their training but in their overall behavior and presentation of
themselves. He told them that his program was to "build character not characters"
and they represented our school and our community. He has been a positive role
model for many students, not just football players. From the many parents and
students I have spoken with, all have positive comments about Coach Press,
including one mother who has no children in the sports program but says her
children have felt the morale and self-esteem boost that has spilled over into the
school. I recently learned that Paul Press left a higher paying teaching/coaching
position to come build this program because he loves a challenge. He was
committed to spending several years to build the football program and has been at
FMHS less than a year. So, we ask WHY?
WHY cut off what is obviously the beginning of a good, solid football program?
WHY remove someone who is willing to give so much of themselves? WHY
remove a teacher who goes beyond his duties and finds scholarships to college for
our athletes? WHY remove a coach who uses his resources to bring in
professionals to work with our kids? WHY remove a coach who goes out and
single handedly raises funds in order to elevate the football program? WHY
remove a coach who had a vision of a team room and found a way to have it
happen for ALL team sports?
WHY remove a coach who has brought in new equipment into the weight room
for our kids to better themselves? WHY remove a teacher who connects with the
kids in a positive way? WHY remove one of the few FMHS teachers who is fully
credentialed in the subject he teaches? WHY remove a teacher/coach who puts as
much or more time into his assigned classroom/curriculum than football?
WHY remove a teacher who taught our kids to respect themselves and our
school's property? Thus the gym is clean, free of gum on the floor and there is no
more trash in the locker room. WHY remove a teacher who has caused the rate of
P.E. students dressing for class to go from 60% to over 90%? WHY remove a
teacher who believes that students need to be motivated rather than allowed to
fail? WHY remove a teacher who makes time to help students achieve success
both academically and in sports? WHY has our high school had at least 5
different head coaches in the last 6 years?
If, in fact, there is a valid reason for not allowing Coach Press to continue next
year at FMHS, it best be a good one; because, as many of us see it, our kids are
going to be the big losers. I am asking all of you in this community to join us at
the high school library for a community/parent meeting with the high school
administration on Monday, March 1st at 6pm. We need to be told that Coach
Press is a detriment to our kids - otherwise, there is no valid reason for his not
continuing as FMHS Head Coach.
If necessary, we need to follow-up by attending the next School Board Meeting
on Wednesday, March 10th, 6:30pm at the high school library. In the meantime,
you can voice your opinion/concerns about the situation by calling Superintendent
Dean Bentley at 248-6247 AND FMHS Principal Dave McGrath at 248-0310.
They need to be made aware that we want Paul Press to remain as a teacher and
Head Coach at FMHS or give us a reason-- WHY NOT?.