IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> City football coach to be fired?
Southsider2k12
post Apr 16 2007, 11:59 AM
Post #1


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2





http://www.post-trib.com/sports/341401,holmes.article

QUOTE
Sources confirm Holmes was escorted from Michigan City High nearly one month ago

April 14, 2007
BY MARK LAZERUS Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

Michigan City High School football coach and teacher Bob Holmes was escorted from the building more than three weeks ago and is likely to be fired at an April 24 school board meeting, a source within the school confirmed.
The exact reason for Holmes' departure has not been made public, but it apparently stems from a fund-raiser the football team held during the season, the source said.

Michigan City Booster Club president Kevin Higdon said he knows nothing about the situation, and a Michigan City police spokesman said that the department has not been asked to investigate.

School board member Rick Carlson confirmed that Holmes is not currently teaching and that a replacement has taken over his classes, but declined to comment further.

Holmes did not return a message left by the Post-Tribune.

Superintendent Michael Harding is in San Francisco at a conference, and assistant superintendent Carla Iacona did not return a message left at her office.

Holmes was escorted from the high school on March 21, two days before spring break, according to the source within the school. It's not clear if Holmes is officially on suspension or is being paid during his absence. The next school board meeting is April 24, a week from Tuesday.

Athletic director Robert Falls declined to go into specifics, but said that no official action has taken place from an athletic standpoint.

"Nothing's been done here," he said. "There's just a lot of rumors right now. He's still the coach right now. He's still the man."

That said, assistant coach Tom Cicero, not Holmes, has been leading football workouts for the past few weeks, though nobody has officially informed the team of Holmes' status.

"We don't know exactly what's going on," said senior safety Alex Soller, who has been working out with the team. "We're not really sure what has happened. There's just a lot of rumors going around; it's just kind of crazy. It's not really in our hands -- there are some things left up to people other than the players. I'm just not informed that much. I wish I were."

Holmes has been the coach at Michigan City for the past five seasons, compiling a record of 15-36. The Wolves were 1-9 last season, losing their last nine games. His best season came in 2005, when the Wolves were 6-5 and reached the second round of the sectional.


Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ang
post Apr 16 2007, 01:16 PM
Post #2


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 5,171
Joined: 11-December 06
From: Indiana
Member No.: 10



I am speechless. I have no idea what is going on with that situation, this is the first I've heard of it. I notice it wasn't in the ND. What's up with THAT?


Signature Bar
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 16 2007, 01:20 PM
Post #3


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



I noticed that too, the article is from South Bend and from two days ago. I wonder what is going on?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ang
post Apr 16 2007, 02:47 PM
Post #4


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 5,171
Joined: 11-December 06
From: Indiana
Member No.: 10



I thought that was the Gary paper. I just saw Post-trib and assumed Gary. Was there anything in the Lake Co. papers about it? I'd be surprised if Justin Breen didn't jump on that bandwagon as soon as possible.


Signature Bar
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 17 2007, 06:16 AM
Post #5


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 16 2007, 03:47 PM) *

I thought that was the Gary paper. I just saw Post-trib and assumed Gary. Was there anything in the Lake Co. papers about it? I'd be surprised if Justin Breen didn't jump on that bandwagon as soon as possible.


You are right, the only thing I saw was Tribune... This was the only thing I saw about it, but I am going to Google News it and see if anything else pops up...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 17 2007, 06:22 AM
Post #6


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



This is in today's Post-Trib, and still nothing in the News Dispatch, all though it could be in today's paper, because the on-line edition doesn't update until about noon.

http://www.post-trib.com/sports/344459,holmes.article

QUOTE
Secrecy has council president boiling

April 17, 2007
BY MARK LAZERUS Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

Michigan City City Council president Ron Meer is upset. And he says he's not alone.
"This was the year we were supposed to have this open communication between the schools and the public -- no more secrets," Meer said. "And that's what we have right now, a lot of secrets. Nobody's telling us anything."

It's been more than three weeks since Michigan City football coach Bob Holmes was escorted from the building and replaced as a teacher and a coach. So far, the only information that has reached students, parents and members of the community are a report in Saturday's Post-Tribune and the rumors that are running rampant through the hallways at Michigan City High School.

Holmes, expected to be fired at the April 24 school board meeting, has not returned to the school since his eviction, which apparently stems from fund-raising activities during football season.

Holmes has not returned messages left by the Post-Tribune -- or by countless parents, Meer said.

Superintendent Michael Harding, assistant superintendent Carla Iocona and principal Mark Francesconi did not return multiple messages left by the Post-Tribune, either.

Meer said parents of at least six football players have called him trying to figure out what's going on. He said they all want to know the same three things.

"One, has he actually been fired?" Meer said. "Two, has some criminal activity been going on, and if so, why haven't the police been involved? And three, if there's been a theft, will the parents be reimbursed?

"We're concerned, and we're not getting questions answered here in Michigan City."

What's made it particularly frustrating, Meer said, is that this year was supposed to be different. The community gathered for a meeting about a year ago and came up with a new public policy based on transparency and openness with the community.

"It's already been adopted and you can see the beginnings of the implementations of it now," Meer said. "But here you've got something that's been going on for weeks, apparently. That concerns me, that they would allow it to burn out of control."

Meer has had a football-playing son graduate from Michigan City and another is a sophomore at the school.

"Obviously, something is going on here and information is being withheld from the public," Meer said. "They're just letting rumors spread, and you know how rumors work. If it were me, I'd want to clear up what's factual. ...

"If it truly was just a personnel matter, where a teacher said something inappropriate and there's no criminal implications, then fine, you can say it's a personnel matter and not tell us anything. But if a theft or embezzlement has occurred, that's public knowledge. We need to know."


Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 18 2007, 12:57 PM
Post #7


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



Ah, now the ND has gotten wind of the Holmes firing...

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...rts/sports1.txt

QUOTE
Sources: Holmes to be fired
By Adam Parkhouse, The News-Dispatch

City football coach's termination may be announced at Tuesday's school board meeting

Although a veil of secrecy surrounds the situation, it appears that Michigan City High School head football coach Bob Holmes has been fired.

Sources within the school system have confirmed for The News-Dispatch that Holmes will be removed at Tuesday's meeting of the Michigan City Area Schools Board. The reason for his firing appears to stem from an investigation into what became of money generated in a fund-raiser for the football program.

A source close to the investigation said Holmes may have overcharged student-athletes for workout outfits, the profits from which were supposed to go into the program's treasury.

Another source within the school system confirmed that - to the best of the source's knowledge - no criminal charges are being pursued.

Rumors have been circulating about Holmes' status for weeks, stemming from his absence in the classroom. He teaches in the MCHS business department, but has had a substitute in his class since the week before spring break.

According to one rumor, Holmes was escorted from the school on the last day he was there, but two sources close to the situation said that is not true to the best of their knowledge.

Holmes has not returned numerous requests for comment.

School Director of Communictation, Personnel and Labor Relations Fred LaBorn and Superintendent Michael Harding also have not returned calls from The N-D, though Harding's secretary said he was at an out-of-town conference Tuesday. Additionally, a call to MCHS Principal Mark Francesconi was not returned Tuesday.

The N-D did reach school board member Rick Carlson, who confirmed that Holmes has not been in his classroom since the week before spring break. Carlson, however, had no further comment, citing the situation as a personnel matter.

MCHS Athletic Director Bob “Bear” Falls was also reached Tuesday, but declined comment for the same reason.

Holmes' firing would end a five-year run at the MCHS helm. His teams have a combined 16-35 record over that period. The Wolves' best season under Holmes came in 2005 when they went 6-5 and advanced to the second round of the sectional.

Holmes' departure would be the second major coaching change for the school within the last month. In March, boys basketball coach Bennie Edwards resigned. He has yet to be replaced, and his resignation was accepted at the April 10 school board meeting.

Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.


User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
BioTeach
post Apr 18 2007, 01:41 PM
Post #8


Getting Comfortable
**

Group: Members
Posts: 43
Joined: 11-December 06
Member No.: 9



This story just floors me. Coach Holmes was one of the teachers that was really supportive of new teachers. He always had some words of encouragement for me. I sincerely hope that the rumors are false.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ang
post Apr 18 2007, 01:55 PM
Post #9


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 5,171
Joined: 11-December 06
From: Indiana
Member No.: 10



I'm with ya on that one. Having worked very closely with Holmes, I can honestly say that he is a wonderful guy who really cares about everyone. He comes off as this gruff football coach, but underneath he is a real sweet guy. I have a hard time believing that he would do what he is accused of--or should I say insinuated? When I was athletic secretary, he always kept excellent track of his money, where it came from, where it went. I often told him I wish some of the other coaches were as consciencious as he when it came to their fundraisers. All I can say is, if someone stole money, I would be extremely surprised if it was actually Holmes.


Signature Bar
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ang
post Apr 19 2007, 09:23 AM
Post #10


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 5,171
Joined: 11-December 06
From: Indiana
Member No.: 10



Another excellent story written by Adam Parkhouse. From what I can get out of it, Adam waited to write a story until he had facts, not speculation. I commend Adam for his prowess and condem MCAS for their inability to inform the public.

QUOTE
http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200...rts/sports4.txt

Lack Of MCAS Comment Troubling

Adam Parkhouse, Sports Editor

The worst-kept secret in Michigan City is finally out in the open.

Well, sort of.

For weeks, rumors had circulated about the firing of Michigan City High School head football coach Bob Holmes. Rumors about him being escorted from the school were floated, and others had him threatening physical violence after being asked to resign. Both proved to be untrue.

It makes one wonder how things like this get started, if indeed they aren't true. The answer is really quite simple: Administration let it happen.

By keeping quiet during this ongoing ordeal, the higher-ups at the Michigan City Area Schools left people to their own devices. And when that happens, you get unsubstantiated rumors and hearsay.

Though the basic news of Holmes' impending removal has now been reported, there are still plenty of unanswered questions.

First, what became of the money that forced an investigation to be launched into the football program's accounting practices? A source told The N-D that Holmes may have overcharged student athletes for workout outfits, the profits from which were to go into the program's treasury. That money, according to the source, is unaccounted for.

Will that money be reimbursed to the parents who paid it? I'm sure if there was some wrongdoing and parents paid out money unnecessarily, they would appreciate getting it back.

How long did this go on? Was it just this year or for each of the five years Holmes was head coach?

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we'll ever get answers to these questions, unless the people in charge have an epiphany and decide to give up some information.

I do understand that the firing of a coach is a delicate situation, and I had numerous administrators refuse to comment to me “out of fairness to Coach Holmes.”

Given that, I suggest that letting people simply make things up is certainly not fair to Holmes, MCAS or anyone else. This is a point that I think I got across to school board member Rick Carlson during a conversation Saturday. Carlson was able to confirm for me that Holmes was no longer in his classroom, and that a substitute was handling his classes.

After some pleading about MCAS coming out looking bad in this by not commenting, I thought I got through to Carlson. He acted as though he agreed with my point, then promised to call me back. I was led to believe he may be calling back with some official comment on the situation.

Instead, there was no return call and attempts to reach him at the same number were unsuccessful.

But at least Carlson gave me something, and I give him credit for at least returning my initial call. To date, and in case you're scoring at home, the following people have failed to return calls for comment: MCHS Principal Mark Francesconi, MCAS Superintendent Michael Harding, MCAS Director of Communictation, Personnel and Labor Relations Fred LaBorn and, of course, Holmes himself. The latter certainly is no surprise, especially if he's no longer an employee.

But the people who are in charge of communicating with the public refused, and that's unconscionable. Again, I'm fully aware this isn't an easy situation, but people deserve to know what's going on within the school system.

Other school systems are much more open and free in communicating with the public. For instance, several years back when LaPorte boys basketball coach Joe Otis resigned, there was a press conference in Slicer Gym.

When MCHS boys basketball Bennie Edwards resigned last month, I had to find out through back channels and then deal with administrators who refused to speak on the matter, even after Edwards confirmed that he had in fact resigned.

My prevailing thought here is, why all the secrecy? I'm a firm believer that people who move around in shadows and keep secrets must have something to hide.

Pretty clearly, there's something to hide here. And if it's up to those in charge, the truth will remain buried forever.


Signature Bar
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 19 2007, 09:38 AM
Post #11


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 19 2007, 10:23 AM) *

Another excellent story written by Adam Parkhouse. From what I can get out of it, Adam waited to write a story until he had facts, not speculation. I commend Adam for his prowess and condem MCAS for their inability to inform the public.


This has been the preferred method of operation for quite a while now. Heck, think back no further than when Sweeney opened his mouth and inserted his foot. The silence from up top was deafening. If any company had a Vice President talk about their employees and their product like that, he would have been fired quickly, along with statements about how valued the employees really were... That sure didn't happen here. Heck it took the Chamber of Commerce to come along and put out some of the raging fires that were going on.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 19 2007, 01:38 PM
Post #12


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



Somebody at the Post-Trib wrote pretty much the same article as our Parkhouse...



http://www.post-trib.com/sports/lazerus/348850,mich.article

QUOTE
The silence at Michigan City is deafening

April 19, 2007
By Mark lazerus Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

Say something, Bob Holmes. Anything.
Deny something. Defend something. Clarify something.

Do something.

Everyone's asking questions. The students at Michigan City High School, relentlessly whispering in the hallways. The players on your football team, working out under the supervision of assistant Tom Cicero. The fans in town, learning bits and pieces of information through unnamed sources and cryptic media reports.

And the questions aren't good. Words such as theft and embezzlement have been tossed around by kids, parents -- even the city council president. They say you were escorted from the building nearly a month ago -- some patently untrue rumors have you leaving in handcuffs -- and haven't returned since. They say you could be fired as early as Tuesday, at the next school board meeting.

They say a lot of things.

Yet you say nothing.

Answer your phone, Bob. If not for the media, then for the parents of your players, foundering through the fog of confusion, trying to get a grip on what's going on and how it affects them and their children.

Answer your accusers -- and your supporters.

Your silence is deafening.

n n n

Say something, Michigan City administrators. Anything.

Refute something. Confirm something. Explain something.

Do something.

You were supposed to be open this year with the public. Honest. No more secrets.

Yet here we are, four weeks since Holmes was booted from the premises and you haven't told anyone why. You don't answer phone calls. You don't respond to parents' inquiries. You don't react to the demands of those paying your salaries. You hide behind your secretaries and your voice mail.

Sorry, Superintendent Michael Harding. Sorry, Assistant Superintendent Carla Iacona. Sorry, Principal Mark Francesconi. This goes beyond a run-of-the-mill personnel issue. You don't get to hide behind that standard smokescreen, too.

City Council President Ron Meer put it best.

"If it truly was just a personnel matter, where a teacher said something inappropriate and there's no criminal implications, then fine, you can say it's a personnel matter and not tell us anything," Meer said. "But if a theft or embezzlement has occurred, that's public knowledge. We need to know."

Yes, they do. And if nothing of the sort has occurred, then they should know that, too. Because either taxpaying parents have been swindled by a crooked coach, or an innocent coach is being left to twist in the wind and get tried in the court of public opinion while you say nothing.

Your silence is bad public policy.

n n n

Say something, parents.

Anything.

Allege something. Defend something. Demand something.

Do something.

Don't let this drag on another week. Don't allow yourselves to be stonewalled.

If you think you've been wronged, stand at the top of the Dunes and scream it. Tell other parents. Tell the city council. Tell the paper. If necessary, tell the police. Knock down the doors of the administrators.

And if you think Holmes is being wronged and defamed by a silent school administration, then scream that, too.

Somebody say something.

Anything.

Because for four weeks now, the silence has spoken volumes.

Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Max Main
post Apr 20 2007, 08:44 AM
Post #13


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 389
Joined: 7-March 07
Member No.: 90



this is another reason we need to help whathisname get another supt. job--anywhere else!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ang
post Apr 20 2007, 11:45 AM
Post #14


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 5,171
Joined: 11-December 06
From: Indiana
Member No.: 10



You know what, though Max? The problem is not limited to Harding. In my opinion, the only person in that administration who is worth anything is Fred LaBorn. I knew him when he was principal at Critchfield and he was excellent at communicating with parents. When he came to that position at MCAS, I worked with him on the Heritage Hall project and he was still an awsome communicator. Also, I think he would make an excellent candidate for Superintendent. I know there are lots of things he would like to do and lots of different ways he would like to persue things, but unfortunately his hands are tied by the powers that be. I also think that if Harding goes, Carla Iacona should leave also. In my opinion, SHE is the biggest problem with MCAS.


Signature Bar
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 25 2007, 09:33 AM
Post #15


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



Holmes turned in his resignation last night. Next year we will have new baseball, basketball, and football coaches, all in the same calendar year. Wow.

It was interesting to see Mr Bergewald look in the best financial interests of the district by trying to fire Holmes instead of letting him receive a paycheck for the rest of year.

Plus you had a parent ask for answers again, and of course, she received none. Also the "personal business" that Michael Harding was on was his Hawaii vacaction.

http://www.post-trib.com/sports/356633,michcity.article

QUOTE
Holmes out as Wolves' head coach

April 25, 2007
BY MARK LAZERUS Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

MICHIGAN CITY -- The Michigan City school board officially accepted the resignation of embattled head football coach and teacher Bob Holmes on Tuesday night after an unsuccessful attempt by half the board to fire him.

Assistant superintendent Carla Iacona didn't say much, but hinted that Holmes -- who was escorted from the building on March 21 amid rumors of a fund-raising scandal and has yet to return -- was asked to resign.

"We conducted an internal investigation, and our investigation has concluded," Iacona said.

When asked if that meant he was forced to resign, Iacona said: "This was the conclusion of that investigation."

Holmes, who has not returned phone calls since he left the school, was not at the meeting.

Superintendent Michael Harding, who has yet to comment publicly on the issue, was not present. Iacona said he was on "personal business."

Holmes was listed on the meeting agenda as one of several teachers who had submitted their resignations.

But board member Beryle Burgwald asked for the board to alter the agenda and instead vote to terminate Holmes.

The board was split 3-3 (Burgwald, Clyde Zeek and Jim Kintzele Sr. voted to change it to a termination vote, while Rick Carlson, Kathryn Lee and Nate Gipson voted to stick with the initial recommendation), and the motion failed.

At the heart of the debate was whether Holmes should continue to be paid. Officially, he's on paid leave, and by accepting his resignation rather than firing him, Michigan City will continue paying him until the conclusion of the school year.

The idea that her tax dollars would continue to pay Holmes' salary was particularly upsetting to Cindy Evans, whose son Austin -- a sophomore on the football team -- challenged the school board over its secrecy and unwillingness to clue in students and parents to why Holmes had been kicked off the premises.

"Absolutely, that bothers me," Cindy Evans said. "Not only are we paying his salary, we're paying the salary of another teacher who came in to replace him."

Kintzele shared Evans' view.

"That was my point," he said. "My vote was very clear. But that's business -- you accept that majority rules."

Austin Evans said his beef was mainly with the administration, not Holmes, largely because he hadn't been given enough information to pass judgment on his former coach. He stood before the board and demanded answers to questions he said many around the city are asking.

"Why are you being so secretive," he asked. "If it's none of our business, why was he pulled out of school? If the rumors are true that he was stealing money from us or overcharging us, why wasn't it pursued if our money was taken? And why is that money not being paid back or being reimbursed?"

Michigan City police have not been asked to investigate the matter, but Holmes has not returned to the school since March 21. Assistant coach Tom Cicero has been leading spring workouts for the football team.

After the meeting, Evans shed some light on the impetus for Holmes' ouster.

"He charged us $40 for the T-shirt and shorts, and people are saying the T-shirt and shorts only cost $15 or $20," he said. "I don't know if that happened over the entire six years that he was the coach. But that right there kind of got me, that they didn't say anything about it or that the public didn't know anything about it."

City Council president Ron Meer, who first expressed his frustration with the school board's secrecy in a Post-Tribune story last week, echoed Evans' comments, publicly chiding the administration for failing to live up to its new "strategic plan," which encourages an open dialogue with the public.


Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post Apr 25 2007, 09:51 AM
Post #16


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



Here is the MC version, with a talk to Holmes included.

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../news/news1.txt

QUOTE
Coach resigns, speaks out

By Adam Parkhouse, The News-Dispatch

On the night when the Michigan City Area Schools Board accepted his resignation, former Michigan City High School football coach Bob Holmes finally spoke out on his behalf.

In a conversation with The News-Dispatch on Tuesday, Holmes called the rumors circulating about him “absolute nonsense,” denying any wrongdoing that led to his demise.

“I wouldn't even call them rumors. I call them absolute nonsense,” Holmes said. “I want to make it perfectly clear that the reason I haven't responded to anything was because I wanted to make sure my resignation was accepted by the school board. That's the way it should be done.”

Prior to Tuesday, Holmes had not returned numerous requests for comment, but didn't seem concerned about his reputation taking a hit in the community.

“I guess people can say what they may,” Holmes said. “My reputation speaks for itself within the education and football world.”

Holmes has not been present in the MCHS building since March 22, and will be on paid leave through the remainder of the school year. Holmes said the reasons for his leave are personal and denied being escorted from the school, again addressing the rumor as “absolute nonsense.”

The N-D reported last week that Holmes was to be fired at Tuesday's meeting, but instead Holmes' status was listed as a resignation on the consent agenda.

A source close to the investigation told The N-D that money from a team fund-raiser was missing, though Holmes has now disputed that claim. Assistant Superintendent Carla Iacona denied extensive comment Tuesday, saying only, “Our investigation is complete.”

Superintendent Michael Harding was not at Tuesday's meeting.

Holmes could not remember the date his resignation was tendered, but was told that it would be accepted at the April 24 school board meeting. He did say his resignation came shortly after March 22, his last day in the classroom.

“I just felt the need to go in a different direction,” Holmes said. “They're just personal reasons. They can be whatever you want to assume they are.”

Holmes said he has not yet spoken to his players and didn't know if one of his assistant coaches was handling spring workouts. He did say that he plans to address a few of his players in the future.

“I'm very appreciative of the hard work and dedication from the players,” Holmes said. “We've gotten better over the last five years, and that says something about the program.

“This program, in my opinion, is headed in the right direction.”

City went 16-35 in his five years at the MCHS helm, with his best record being a 6-5 mark in 2005.

Holmes' resignation marks the second significant change to City's coaching landscape. In March, boys basketball coach Bennie Edwards also resigned.


User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ang
post Apr 25 2007, 10:25 AM
Post #17


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 5,171
Joined: 11-December 06
From: Indiana
Member No.: 10



See!!! I told you he wouldn't steal. I KNOW Holmes and he is a good guy and I am truly sad that he is leaving MCHS. I hope whatever he chooses to do will be good for him and I wish him the best of luck in all future endeavors!!


Signature Bar
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Southsider2k12
post May 3 2007, 10:01 AM
Post #18


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,413
Joined: 8-December 06
From: Michigan City, IN
Member No.: 2



http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20..._adam/col-5.txt

QUOTE
Holmes' situation smells funny

So Bob Holmes didn't get fired after all. He just resigned.

Well, that wasn't nearly as messy as we thought, now was it?

Right. If you believe that, I've got a couple acres of prime Florida swamp land to sell ya. Deal of the century, I promise.

Pardon me for thinking that Holmes' breaking his silence Tuesday to The News-Dispatch left a little to be desired. For those who might not have seen the story in Wednesday's edition, Holmes finally picked up the phone when a call was placed to his home.

Once he did, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

It all started while I was at a baseball game Tuesday at Michigan City High School and education reporter Deborah Sederberg called me with some enticing news: Holmes' official action on the school board agenda for that night was under “resignation,” not “termination.”
Interesting.

Holmes' firing has been the worst-kept secret in the history of worst-kept secrets. Everyone seemed to know that it already happened and was just awaiting school board approval.

So why the change of direction? Beats me. But I'll tell you this, I don't believe for a second that Holmes resigned on his own. Perhaps a letter of resignation does exist - though I'd like to see it - but I don't believe that Holmes willfully submitted it.

Besides, there are things here that still don't make sense. We know that an investigation was launched into some missing funds from the football program. Once the investigation wrapped up, rumors of Holmes' dismissal started flying, leading to this week's school board meeting where his resignation was accepted.

Confused? So am I. What a coincidence that Holmes decided to resign for “personal reasons” right after he was investigated for some alleged missing money.

“I just felt the need to go in a different direction,” Holmes said Tuesday. “They're just personal reasons. They can be whatever you want to assume they are.”

Pardon me, but what does that mean?

“They can be whatever you want to assume they are.” That sounds scary. Maybe I want to assume “personal reasons” really means “alien abduction” or “moving on to the pro Scrabble circuit.”

Michigan City Area Schools' silence during all these shenanigans remains frustrating. To date, the only comment wrestled up from anyone of any value came from Assistant Superintendent Carla Iacona, who offered nothing more than an “Our investigation is complete.”

Thanks, Carla. That clears up a lot.

It also brings up fuzzy memories of a previous time where getting straight answers out of MCAS officials proved impossible: MCHS Athletic Director Jeff Freitag's “reassignment” in late February of 2005. The word out of school officials then was that Freitag was being reassigned to help enforce the school's new disciplinary code, which wasn't even written yet.

I see not much has been learned in the way of media relations since then.

OK, now it's time to beat the proverbial dead horse. MCAS' lack of legitimate comment in this matter has not only been puzzling and baffling, but downright annoying.

As I said in a column last week, I understand that this is a personnel matter and folks are limited in what they can say.

But the school system is a public entity and funded fully by tax dollars. People have a right to know what's going on. If some wrongdoing has occurred, people deserve an explanation. If not, then some further details are needed.

After all, we're not guarding nuclear secrets here, folks. We're talking about the dismissal of a high school football coach. Let's gain some perspective.

So, my fellow taxpayers, here's the 411: Holmes is no longer in his classroom and is on paid leave for the remainder of the school year, at which point his resignation will take effect. Until then, a substitute will be in his classroom.

That's right, tax dollars are now paying two people to teach one classroom because of this mess. Now, I'm sure that's happened before, and under the right circumstances there's nothing wrong with it.

But these aren't the right circumstances. In my opinion, we have a fired coach who's being allowed to ride out the school year from the comfort of home while still receiving a paycheck.

If I'm wrong, I'll eat crow. But something tells me you shouldn't fire up the grill just yet.

Have an idea for Home Cookin' or Parky's People? Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.



User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ang
post May 3 2007, 10:18 AM
Post #19


Spends WAY too much time at CBTL
******

Group: Admin
Posts: 5,171
Joined: 11-December 06
From: Indiana
Member No.: 10



I just love that Adam Parkhouse. His articles are always so candid. I think he is an excellent talent wasted on a small town newspaper.

On Holmes, my personal opinion of this situation is that someone, somewhere jumped the gun and made a false accusation. Once proven false, they had to provide some sort of restitution for Holmes. Knowing Holmes the way I do, he got fed up. That man has delt with a lot of crap since becoming Head Football Coach (stuff I'm not really at liberty to go into) and has always managed to hold his head up and persevere. But, this situation was the straw that broke the camel's back. So, Holmes said, "enough is enough, I'm going home." and he did. But, the someone somewhere screwed up and now everyone is a loser, even Holmes. Yeah, he's getting paid to look for another job, but he's lost all those kids. He's been there long enough to watch many of those players grow from geeky little freshment to seniors on the brink of adulthood. He's been their mentor, their teacher, their coach and their friend. And he's lost it all because of someone who made an assumption.

I am not saying that is the truth, that is just my assessment of the information provided. But, taking into consideration I know how those things work, I think I'm on the right track.


Signature Bar
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 05:13 PM

Skin Designed By: neo at www.neonetweb.com