June 17, 2008
Parent Post: Howie was reinstated! He cannot talk about all the specifics - but he is back to the middle school! We were FINALLY heard!!!
May 28, 2008
Parent Post: Does anyone know the final status of Coach Howie? Can it be a good sign that he was at middle school football camp today?
May 21, 2008
Parent Post 1: I too wrote to the superintendent and Board about the importance of Coach Andy Howington in the lives of the Deer Creek students. I stressed both the role he has played in the life of my son and the other children at Deer Creek with which we interact with regularly. I know that the Board knows what a wonderful job Coach Howington does with our children, but what I don’t think they realize is where the real problem lies at DCMS or even the whole school system.
The Board has one employee. I hope everyone understands that. Their only employee is the Superintendent. Danny Barnes did reply to me and made me realize that the issue is so much bigger than it seems. Toni Jones is the direct problem with the Howington situation. She is micromanaging the school and if she has a personality conflict with someone (meaning they don’t kiss the ground she walk upon) she will do whatever it takes to get rid of them. Even the teachers that she thinks like her tell of the ugly side of her and fear for their jobs. The buzz around the MS coaches right now is “Am I next?” Who would want their employees living in fear of them? Toni loves it.
Did you know Toni plans to split the MS kids up in the halls, locker, lunch room by gender? She can’t control them (because they don’t respect her) so she is planning girl halls and boy halls and girl lunch and boy lunch. Sound a little like prison or a mental science experiment, doesn't it? I guess when you have lost control because you should have never left the elementary environment, you come of with these ridiculous plans.
The big issues is leadership or the lack of. The school is like a corporation. There is the Board and technically the Superintendent is the CEO. This is where the ultimate problem is. We need a VERY strong CEO. We need a CEO with a backbone to stand up to the ridiculous actions of Toni Jones. Becky Wilkinson is also afraid of Toni, just like the MS teachers. How much leadership is that? If she was not afraid of her, then this would not have reached the level it has.
Howington has been told he is not fit to coach the MS football program and be around the kids. Yet, if he agreed to leave the MS and go teach at one of the elementary schools, then Toni will let him have football back. Do you all see what this is? This is CRAZY. This does not even make sense. He is not fit to work with MS students but he is fit to work with elementary kids? That is just how corrupt Jones is and Wilkinson is too afraid of her to make the madness stop. This is nothing more that a personality conflict because Howington has always cared about the kids and not the BS game playing that Jones thrives on. She even point blank said she didn’t care about the huge petition the 300-400 MS students signed in support of Howington. She point blank said that she didn’t care what the parents thought. She even went as far as discussing Howington’s situation with other MS teachers before discussing things with him.
The bottom line is Wilkinson is not strong enough to lead this district. If we had a strong leader/CEO this kind of stupid game playing would not happen. Toni would either leave or be fired by a real leader and our District could start to make some real progress. I wanted to thank Danny for his email back as he really showed me the writing on the wall as to where the change needs to happen. I think he knows it too.
P.S. Danny will never support firing Becky Wilkinson because he has a puppet for whatever he wants. If you don’t know who is running this District (into the ground) you better wake up. Danny must go this next election or we all better get our houses on the market FAST!
Parent Post 2: IT'S NOT TO LATE TO SEND E-MAILS TO THE BOARD! PLEASE TAKE A STAND AND SAY NO MORE, WE WANT OUR GOOD COACHES! THANKS WE NEED TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR WHAT'S RIGHT!
DR Barnes E-mail to Parents in reply to the Coach Howington situation
All,
Our Middle School athletic program is the envy of the state and at a recent national middle school meeting, Toni led a program based on the philosophy/application of our program. The current program allows every student the opportunity to develop skills and play either intramural, JV, or varsity games. We have come a long way in the last three years when every player was on the varsity team and guaranteed equal playing time. Ms. Jones and her staff continually evaluate and make changes to the program based on what they feel is best for the entire student population. If you check the MS website, the entire athletic program at the middle school is flourishing and allowing all kids to reach their potential as well as allowing the gifted athlete to excel also.
Our job as school board members is to not micromanage the district. Imagine what chaos would ensue if every parent who liked/disliked a teacher/coach wanted that person rehired/dismissed. Let’s remember what makes our district so outstanding; we welcome and encourage parent participation, we let our teachers teach, and we allow our administrators to do what they think is best for their building and all of the students. These are some of the main reasons our district continues to be a top ten school in the entire state.
I appreciate and understand your concerns and understand where they are coming from and can assure you that all such personnel decisions are reviewed by the superintendent, personnel director, and the board.
Danny
Our Reply: We need to start with “Are you kidding Me?” With that off our chest let’s analyze what he said.
"Our Middle School athletic program is the envy of the state..."
Who said the MS sports program is the envy of the state? Wasn’t it Principal Jones who said that? No chance of an exaggeration there?
"We have come a long way in the last three years when every player was on the varsity team and guaranteed equal playing time."
Our daughter played MS sports 3 year ago and there was both Varsity and JV teams. There was no equal time requirement mandated. Where did you get your facts from Dr Barnes? Is this another example of you believing whatever somebody tells you?
"Our job as school board members is to not micromanage the district. "
Since when is evaluating decisions considered micromanagement? Last time we checked the job of the board is to evaluate the decisions being made in the school district. But then again, your statement sheds new light on why you and the rest of the board have just rubberstamped everything over the last so many years.
Let’s look at the facts as you stated them.
- If the MS sports program is flourishing why the need to replace a coach who has been an instrumental part of the program?
- If the coach in question is not good enough to teach/coach in the MS why is it being suggested he teach in a elementary school and allowed to keep coaching in the HS?
- If it is not the job of the school board to micromanage why do they vote on all the firings and hiring of teachers and coaches?
- Since when did you start referring to the school district as a ‘top ten district in the state’ and not the ‘best district in the state’? At the rate you are going will we be talking about the district as a ‘top 50 district in the state’ next year.
For the record Dr. Barnes’ opinions are not a reflection of how the entire board feels. We should see how the entire board feels at the next school board meeting.
May 20, 2008
Parent Post: Was the meeting about Howie on Friday or today? I know that I did send an email on Friday hoping that the board members would listen to parent opinion. I am curious to know the outcome. I can tell you that only 1 board member responded to my email and it was obvious that it was an automated response. The response simply thanked me for my email and it came so quickly that I know there was not time to read it.
May 19, 2008
Parent Post: As many of you know, Coach Andy Howington has lost all his coaching positions at Deer Creek Middle School. He is however still going to be the HS wrestling coach. Today there is a meeting to finalize his fate as a Middle School coach.
If ever there has been a time to make your voice heard, this is it. Today, please take the time to write an email about what Coach Howington has meant to your child’s life either as an athlete or a student. Coach Howington has touched the lives of all the Deer Creek Middle School and High School students in many ways over the last few years and he now needs our help.
I don’t even want to think about what will happen to the High School Wrestling program if this travesty is allowed to happen. I can’t imagine that the Howingtons will stay at Deer Creek without the stipends from those additional sports. The High School wrestlers along with every kid that has been or will be coached by Howie will be hurt by this.
Please Please Please – take the time to send one short email to the Board Members and Becky Wilkinson today! Their email addresses can be seen below.
Thank you for taking the time and caring about one the greatest coaches Deer Creek has!
Our Reply: Unless we are mistaken any change in coaching positions are not final until approved by the board.
April 3, 2008
Parent Post: I think it is just wrong to tell Howie he is not wanted at the Middle School. Apparently over a personality conflict with Mrs. Jones. Whether Mrs. Jones wants him or not - THE PARENTS DO!!!!
I hope the board can take a stand and do what it is they were voted in there to do. Listen to what the parents want - which is to have Howie coaching.
Personally I would prefer he go to the High School. He might be appreciated there.
You know there is a lot to be said for a coach that has maintained a friendship/relationship/rapport with students he had years ago. Evidently, Howie is a much better Coach/Mentor than Mrs. Jones is giving him credit for. This is truly an injustice for Howie.
April 2, 2008
Parent Post:
Is it true that Coach Howington Was let go at the Middle School and will not be coaching or teaching at Deer Creek? Did the BOE vote on this last night? If so, what happened to the Board working for the parents of Deer Creek? After all parent votes is what got them there.
If it is true about Coach Howington then this board does not work the parents. If they did this would not have happened. It was very clear the major of parents were behind Coach Howington 100%. So why the dismissal?
We definitely need to get rid of this school board. They do not have our children\'s best interest at heart. They have their own agenda. One that is not in sink with the Parents of DC students. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT NEED TO BE DISMISSED!!!!
Our Reply: No Coach Howington was not officially let go. That would have to happen at a school board meeting. The rumor is that Coach Howington Met with Principal Jones and was told that he was no longer wanted at the Middle School. We will have to wait to see what happens at the next school board meeting.
March 25, 2008
Parent Post:
It is interesting to read some of these posts. It shows that free speech is still alive, well and kicking! Please know that we support Coach Andy Howington 110%! He is an amazing football coach who helped coach our son and his team to an undefeated victory this year! Who could ask for more?
We didn't, but Coach Howie continued to give to our family in another avenue..for the 2nd year in a row..he chose to rally our football teams and DC families to support a charity close to our heart. He did so without fear, coaxing or obligation. He did this because he WANTED to and because he has a family member who lives with the very SAME genetic disorder. Did you know that? It was not for praise or commendation? It was because his heart was involved. The first year, he came, he also brought and supported 2 other DCHS students too.
Why do we try to fix things when they aren't broken? In this day and age, we are grateful when our children are not being abused, harmed or maltreated in any manner. So, we praise Coach Howie and other DC staff who work so hard and go out of their way to support our family and a child, like our daughter, Sahara, who they will probably never even get to instruct!
March 18, 2008
Student Post: We turned in approximately 30 pages of signatures to Mrs.Jones, Mrs. Wilkinson, Coach Diefenderfer and Coach Blakenship. We did not have ONE person that we asked to sign refuse. We were unable to ask very many 6th graders if they wanted to sign because they were in the gymnasium for Antlerborough Faire. We were only able to ask kids to sign in between classes, before and after school and at lunch.
We did this as "kids who care" on our own. We thought this was the best way we could express ourselves and hopefully be heard. If Mrs. Jones chooses to listen to a couple of people rather than the biggest majority; we will then go to the school board. There were 20 of us who organized the petition. We are young; but, we want to be heard.
We are the people who are with Coach Howie every single day - all day. We want him around to coach us in middle school and in high school. If he were such a bad influence on us - why would he be allowed to coach at one school and not the other? Why would he be so hard on us to act right, work hard and push ourselves to be the best we can be?
He is one of the only teachers/coaches we can think of that has come to our stuff outside of school games, cared when we were sick to check on us, organized us to support each other like when Harley Dodd's sister was born with Down's and we all walked to support him in the big Down's Syndrome walk downtown, helped kids at school that were in trouble to get their act together, tell us to be smart - smarter than him and work hard to be all we can be.
Our other teachers care about us - but only at school. Coach Howie cares about us for our entire life. Coach Howie -thank you for all you do for us. We don't believe you should be punished for actually doing more than your job and for being good at your job. We support you! We will fight for you to not be punished. Just like you taught us to do - to stand up for the right thing.
Our Reply: We applaud you and the other students who are standing up for what you believe in. It shows maturity beyond your years. We support you in you effort and hope that you stay true to your beliefs, not only now but for the rest of your lives.
We would caution you on one thing though. Sometimes when people stand up for what they believe in they alienate others unintentionally. While it is great that you applaud Coach Howington for all that he has done for you do not slight the many other teachers who have done so much for other students that you do not know about. Mr. Gregory, Mr. Ottinger, Mrs. Burnett, Mrs. Vasso, Mrs. Bridges, Mrs. Terronez are just a few on a long list of Middle School Teachers that have shown how much they care about their students not only in school but outside as well. We know this from first hand experience. Trust us when we tell you your opposition will do anything they can to deflect attention from the issue. To be effective keep your statements about what Coach Howington has done for you and do not stray to talk about others. We are sure Coach Howington would give you the same advice.
Again with applaud and support you in your cause but stay focused on the cause.
March 15, 2008
Student Post: Kids have been signing a petition all day to keep Howie as a coach. Whoever is responsible for trying to get him fired should look at the true facts: your kid is a wimp and everyone else loves Howie. Howie has helped the school in more ways than you can think of. He has led wrestling, football, and many other sports to undefeated seasons with his coaching ability. Getting rid of him would be the biggest mistake we've ever made - that is next to pulling an elementary principal up to the REAL world at the middle school and watching her lose control with her lack of discipline!
The only discipline we want as a student body is for Toni Jones to be forced to LISTEN! Just because she doesn't like Coach Howington personally; that doesn't mean we agree with her! We are the ones who have to work with him on a daily basis in our sports. He pushes us to be the best we can be. We don't want to be babied - we want to learn to be all we can. Isn't that what she wants for us?
Parent Post: My son came home today and told me what he had heard that was going on regarding Coach Howie...and didn't understand how something like this could happen. I must agree. Being new to the district last year, Coach Howie has been a very positive influence on our son both in intramurals last year and this year, while playing football for the first time. He makes our son actually work in off-season and (frankly, somewhat to our surprise!) our son really enjoys it and tells us about running, doing "supermans," etc.
We so appreciate Coach Howie and, more importantly, OUR SON DOES. Our son wants to continue to play football next year, thanks in large part to Coach Howie. Is there anything that can be done by us parents to show our support? Does anyone know the full story here? What can we do here to see that a few people with an issue don't rob the district of such a fine coach for our kids?
Our Reply: To the students that started and participated in the petition in support of Coach Howington, good for you. We applaud you for taking a positive stance in your support. We just caution you to stay positive and not get dragged into the negative. Stay strong in your cause and hope for the best.
As for the parents the best that we can do is to contact the school board and show our support for Coach Howington. Will the board respond? Who knows, but our bet is they won’t. Remember this come election day and vote for change.
As for the situation this is the best that we can decipher from the information that we have been given. Coach Howington and Principal Jones have different philosophies. Since Coach Howington will not adopt Principal Jones’ philosophy she is not going to recommend that he be kept on as an assistant middle school football coach. All of this will go to the school board for approval. We would recommend showing up for the school board meeting to support Coach Howington. The school board meeting should the board meeting in April.
Remember you may not have a chance to show your support because this is the same board that denied the individuals the right to speak before. If David Miller is elected we can guarantee that he will be in favor of allowing the patrons to speak. So if you needed another reason for a change here it is.
March 14, 2008
Parent Post 1: Regarding Coach Howington he was told by Mrs. Jones in all her wisdom, that he would not be recommended by her, to coach 7-8th MS football next year. We know her football knowledge is unlimited and she always puts the interest of kids first.
Coach Howington does his job well and is an exceptional coach. His problem is he does not fall in the "special MS circle" of Toni Jones. Coach Howington didn't want to hold hands with coach winkle. He is respectful but not phony and tells it like it is, good and bad.
Parents it is time to stand up and say this is enough. Let the administration and board know how you and your kids feel about this situation. Perhaps Coach Sutton the MS Head FB coach and our new high school head coach, Coach Gower should have some in say in this matter of who should be coaching our kids in football. Just a thought since they ARE the ones THAT do know football.
Parent Post 2: Another post for the support of Coach Howington. DCMS boys and girls need a strong male influence who instills the tough work ethic and strong disciplinary coaching style that is so lacking in our schools. Apparently, many coaches have been run off by parents and administration that believe in the philosophy of parenting and coaching which gives all children the benefit of maximum self-esteem building strategies regardless of lack of motivation and respect for authority that a coach and a teacher deserve.
Anyone who manages young adults today knows that our children need more discipline in order to manage daily tasks. This generation that we are raising is clearly lacking in life skills that they will need for the future, more specifically the cold, hard facts that their future holds.
The facts are that most of our children will need to work hard and submit to authority whether it be their bosses or their customers. Parents and administration in pursuit of the downfall of Coach Howington, will you be there to save your child from his future boss, client, angry spouse or the IRS? If that is want you want for your future and theirs, your loss. Otherwise, go back to teaching your kids about hard work and disappointment and how to deal with it, because my bet is either way they will eventually have a lot of it!
Parent Post 3: I too am supporting Coach Howington and want to say thank you to Howie for all the work he does with and for our kids. No he's not perfect, none of us are. He truly believes in our kids and wants what’s best for them. He talks to and encourages the kids that might not want to go into a sport in High School that they have played all through Middle School. He sees the potential in our kids and encourages them to be the best that they can be.
So please, don't take away the livelihood of another great coach. This is just wrong. And truly unjust. What is with the principal and the administration wanting to take down some of our best coaches.
Please DC parents don't allow this to happen to Howie. I urge our school board to do what is right for our kids and the district. Which is not to allow this to happen to Coach Howington!!! Stop this nonsense!!!
Parent Post 4: I am totally disappointed about the things happening at DCMS concerning our Coach Howington. Why would the Administration not have him coach football? He is competitive and passionate about the sports he coaches. He helps teach these kids that hard work will pay of with wins! All these negative comments are wrong.
He is the first one to stand up for a kid and fight for them. And teaches them to fight for themselves! My son has played sports for him for 5 years and Howie will go beyond the call of duty or what the “extra pay” gives him to help my son be the best. And have the confidence to be the best.
Yes, Howie can be tough but isn’t that his job? Just like a parents job is to be tough on their kids to teach them the difference between right or wrong? We are not supposed to be our kids “friends” we are the parents and that means being tough and teach them! And a coach’s job is to be tough and teach them.
Howie, you have my total support!!! And it is unfortunate that your administration does not support you also. Like everyone is this world Howie is human and can make mistakes. But he is also the first one to apologize when it happens. I don’t understand this mentality our MS has of everything being equal.
Is life equal? Do we expect to send our kids out in the world thinking that way? What a terrible let down for them when they get in the real world and they have to work hard for the things they want. If you ask the kids on that football team if they would like Howie to be a coach they would say YES! The reason my son wrestles is because of Howie! He has taught my son GREAT things and I am proud to say he is our coach!
Parent Post 5: Toni has decided to not allow Howie to coach at her school. He is only a teacher now. But, he isn't a teacher - so what does that mean? Fired! But, she cannot do it due to the union so she is forcing him to quit...
I have "heard" of numerous kids trying to organize some protest.
A couple of babies and their cry baby parents - typical Deer Creek -whine, whine, whine....instead of allowing our kids to learn that there is consequences. You really do have to practice, push yourself, and set goals in real life - you know that life outside of Deer Creek where if you show up you get a participation grade - and it doesn't matter how athletic you are: you can play. It doesn't matter how smart you are: you can be on the Academic team. It doesn't matter if you can sing: You can be in the chorus. It doesn't matter if you are good anything - you don't need to find your special skill - your place - Deer Creek Middle School takes "feel good" to an extreme. It is unrealistic and eventually hurts everyone that goes through it. Currently our kids live in a bully free Elementary school, attend an unrealistic "rose colored" middle school, and then participate to earn their grades in high school.......and are needing remediation at high rates in college IF they attend and IF they graduate!
So how about it?? Where is the backbone of the district? We want scholars not athletes so we fire every decent coach we have. Maybe it is actually a punishment to get a job in DC as a coach. We sure act like it!
Parent Post 6: I have no idea what is going on with coach Howie but I want to voice my opinion on it. I love Coach Howie. I am a mother of girls, never had him as an athletic coach but he has been a wonderful mentor to my daughters. He has always gone out of his way to help them both. He cares so much about the students. He doesn't tolerate bullying, I know that first hand. That is how one of my daughters met him. She was being teased and he put an immediate stop to it. Maybe if there were more teachers at the school that stepped in and helped the kids who need it we wouldn't have such a problem with bullying.
Parent Post 7: This post is in support of BOTH MCGILL & HOWIE! It is not necessary to bash one teacher to support another. It was a shame to loose Coach Draper but McGill has been fantastic. He is a good Christian man and gives our children a wonderful example. I believe if you ask wrestling parents, they will tell you that McGill did a great job this year! I also believe that Coach Howington is a great man that loves these kids with his whole heart! He works them hard and that is a good thing! There are many parents that will stand up and fight to keep our great coaches!
Our Reply: Thanks to Parent Post 1 for letting us know what is happening with Coach Howington. For the record we support Coach Howington as well.
Where is the administration while all this is going on? Why is it when parents want to go to the school and support a fired teacher they are rebuffed since the school can’t legally talk about it? But when a parent wants to go and complain about a coach they seem to get carte blanche? Isn’t this a contradiction? Shouldn’t the administration have the same rules for all certified staff?
We will see how interested the school board is in communicating with the community by how they handle this situation. Will they come out and talked with the parents involved or will they close ranks and pretend nothing is happening?
March 13, 2008
Parent Post 1: I wanted to send a message in support of Coach Howington. The negative comments are just wrong. My kids, who play and have played for him , know he is good coach who does put the kids first. He is passionate in his coaching and works to get the best out of the kids he coaches. He understands competitive athletics and knows it takes hard work and commitment to reach your goals in sports as well as in life. The athletes love and respect Coach Howington and he does an excellent job at Deer Creek. He also helps and works with special athletes by volunteering his time with the Special Olympics.
Parent Post 2: This post is in support of Coach Howie. My kids LOVE him. He is wonderful in our eyes! He loves our kids and they love him. He works the kids very hard and expects them to do their best. Howie is not perfect, as none of us are. I really hope the powers that be will do what is right for our kids. We can't afford to keep running off the good coaches. WE HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE KIDS NOT WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD OR ADMINISTRATION! Talk to your middle school and even high school children. Ask them what Coach Howington means to them. Then ask them to band together and let their voices be heard. Tell them to tell the principals what they feel. Most kids will tell you that they love Howie as much as my family does and he is an awesome influence as kids go through a rough time in their development. He loves all the MS kids and supports them whether they are the top athlete or the child who struggles in PE. We love you Howie!
Parent Post 3: Well, Toni Jones is at it again. She is taking down another great coach. Soon all that will be left are those coaches who kiss her behind to her face, yet say what they really think to the involved parents. Oh, the things they say. But I won't go there because they at least see her for what she really is.
Coach Howington is the single greatest coaching influence my son has ever known. He took a kid who had never tried wrestling, which is the toughest sport DC offers, and molded him into an exceptional athlete. He was new to the school system and Howie saw what a hard time he was having adjusting to the DC ways and he helped him. He is a wonderful man who cares very deeply for the kids at the MS. When I say the kids, I mean all the kids. As a football and wrestling coach, Howington is tough and expects kids to try their hardest. Using that method, he teaches them to believe in themselves in all areas of school and life.
Toni: Shame on you. Here you go again - out with the good and keep the bad, like McGill. What are you thinking supporting McGill. He repeatedly is tearing down kids, shows nothing but disrespect for others (including you), is totally arrogant and his lack of sports knowledge is a joke. I've spoken to two HS football dads who played college ball who tried to talk "shop" with McGill. He doesn't even understand the game. The MS wrestling program has dwindled down to less than half the numbers Tim Draper had in it because McGill doesn't know how to teach. He prefers to show off and ridicule kids. (Side note: Someone should check his coaching resume - not all true!)
Howie is not perfect, but the boys my son runs around with would put their life on the line for him. He is wonderful, he really cares about them ... and he is honest!
If Toni and our warped administration had half a brain, they would talk to the athletes, both MS and HS, and the other MS coaches. Then they would see that best thing for the children of DC is to keep Howie in MS football and send McGill packing.
Parent Post 4: Hey is it me or does having a winning season if you are a coach at Deer Creek mean you will lose your job or at best not be allowed to coach that sport? Howie and Draper are too of the best coaches I have ever had! Why doesn’t the Administration want what’s best for us. They just have to ask us we will tell them we want to work hard and WIN!
Our Reply: So what is happening with Coach Howington the spurred these post?
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