A group of Banks County parents and students turned out at Monday’s monthly Banks County Board of Education meeting to show support for former Banks County High School head baseball and softball coach Dean Goodwin.
The group wore white T-shirts with “I support Coach Goodwin” printed on the front and “Do right BOE” on the back.
Goodwin, who was approved to teach at BCHS next year, was relieved of his coaching duties.
When questioned about this issue, superintendent Chris Erwin said, “He will not coach baseball or softball next year.”
Erwin said because of the privacy act he is not allowed to give out a lot of information about this.
Several parents of high school baseball and softball players addressed the BOE about this issue.
Kim Caudell said the reason she enrolled her child in the Banks County schools was because of Dean Goodwin.
“He is building a program,” she said. “This man cares about these kids. It’s not just about ball.”
BCHS student McKenna Rylee said Coach Goodwin had done more for the program than anybody.
“He means the world to me,” Rylee said.
Destiny Gilstrap said she didn’t think it was fair or right that Goodwin had been removed from his coaching duties.
“To take him out because he is a mean coach is wrong,” Gilstrap said.
Michael Turner said, “He takes these kids and he teaches them to be young men and women.”
Taylor Turner said, “Coach Goodwin has taught me to be a young man and he has helped me tremendously on the baseball field.”
Parent Gary Clark said Goodwin had done a tremendous job with the kids. Clark asked, “If he’s not good enough to be a coach, how can he be good enough to teach?”
LaDonna Gardiner said, “Goodwin is outstanding. His motto to these kids is ‘do right.’”
BCHS student Kaitlin Cox said, “I know he was hard on us, but he wanted us to exceed.”
Cox said Goodwin wanted the kids to do what it took to be better.
“You had to give 110 percent,” Cox said.
Tearfully. Cox added, “He (Goodwin) would do anything for any student who walks the halls at Banks County High School.”
Rodney Foster told the BOE it would be a mistake to let Coach Goodwin go.
“If it wasn’t for Coach Goodwin. my son wouldn’t be where he is today,” he said. “You need to do what is right for these kids.”
Marci Parson added, “He teaches the kids to work hard on and off the field. He believes in them and they believe in him.”
BCHS student Mallory Parson said Coach Goodwin wanted her to improve.
“Coach Goodwin is a good coach and he wants us to do what we are supposed to do,” Zack Lee said.
Paul Lee, Zack’s father, said, “I feel like it is unfair the way Coach Goodwin is being treated. He is a very hard coach, but he is a very fair coach.”
Lee said Goodwin didn’t just tell the kids to do right on the field.
“He tells them to do right at home,” he said. “He tells them to do right in life.”
Another man in attendance asked the BOE to tell the parents and students why Coach Goodwin will not be coaching next year.
“I think ya’ll need to tell us why,” the man said.
BOE chairman Neal Brown told the group the board would take their comments into consideration when they went into closed session to discuss personnel items at Monday’s meeting.
When the board meeting was re-opened to the public, the board voted on a list of personnel items (see other story) and the meeting was adjourned.
Those in attendance to support Coach Goodwin were very displeased that they did not get an answer on why the coach was relieved of his coaching duties and, as the board members exited the room, the group continued to ask when a decision would be made on the issue.
One of the parents stated summer baseball was supposed to start on Monday and it had been put on hold.
“Are you going to have a summer baseball program?” one parent asked.
Erwin said, “I am going to meet with the principal and athletic director over there about this.”
People need to take into consideration that if BOE members had personal vendettas against teachers, it would be a common thread from year to year. This is not evident. There probably is a hidden reason why Coach Goodwin was let go. BOE members apparently know something that Banks County citizens do not, which they cannot disclose because of confidentiality issues, (which is the law). I seriously doubt he was denied coaching because he was mean to the students either. Rather than fighting the BOE, parents should be thankful that BOE members are doing what they think is right for the students of Banks County. There are always two sides to a story.
The baseball and softball teams have had good seasons- the baseball team had good seasons before this year too and will have them again. If each one of us coached we would make different decisions as Goodwin and we all arm chair quarterback at every game.
I really think Dean should be the one to push if he thinks he has been treated unfair. First, let him come out and make a statement - then if he opens the can of worms and doesn't mind the details coming out and wants community support so be it. But for now - dean might want things to settle down too - think about what Dean would really want to have happen before you continue.
There are other coaches that are very qualified and available if you are concerned about the team. Just give the team a chance under a new person. For now just congratualte the coach and the team on a great season. Good Luck next year
Such grammar,WOW !