Students and alumni urge Liberty school board to reverse removal of debate coach

Several current and former members of Liberty High School’s speech and debate program pressed the Liberty Public Schools Board of Education during public comment to reverse the district’s decision to remove the high school debate coach, saying the coach provides academic support, mental-health check-ins and competitive coaching that students could not readily replace.

Olivia Lindsey, a 2023 Liberty High graduate and current junior at the University of Kansas, told the board the coach “went far beyond the call of duty of an average educator,” adding the coach provided snacks, weekly individual check-ins and tutoring beyond debate. “He is persistent in his efforts to remind every student that they matter, that they value, and they are enough,” Lindsey said.

The speakers said the coach’s work extended beyond contest instruction. Kaelin King, a current student, described speech and debate as a program that “forces you to fail” and said preserving the coaching staff is essential because the activity teaches students to communicate in high-pressure settings. Carolyn Shemwell, identified at the meeting as Liberty High School student body president, said the decision to remove the coach “has made me question the values and beliefs of our district” and urged the board to consider the implications for students’ well‑being and safety.

Orianne Middleton, a five‑year program participant, said the coach’s personal attention and sustained presence “has been one of the most influential people in my high school career” and credited him with helping teams qualify for regional and national competitions. Middleton and other speakers cited recent competitive results: the program qualified multiple teams for state and national tournaments this season and sent eight students to a national tournament qualifier, according to comments during the meeting.

Board members did not take formal action during the public comment period. A board representative said the written materials submitted by speakers would be provided to staff and that speakers would “hear from someone within a time period.” No vote to reinstate or otherwise change staffing was recorded in the meeting minutes or on the agenda that night.

Why it matters: speakers described the coach as central to students’ academic success, emotional support and the team’s competitive achievements. Several said losing that relationship could reduce student participation and harm academic outcomes for some team members who rely on the coach for tutoring and regular check‑ins.

What happens next: the board collected letters and materials offered by speakers and said staff would follow up; the district did not announce any immediate personnel action during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

Several unrelated agenda motions and routine approvals were recorded during the same meeting. The board approved the consent agenda and multiple consent and action items by recorded roll call. Key motions recorded that evening included: approval of the agenda (motion carried, roll call all yes); approval of consent agenda items 3.1–3.6 (motion carried, roll call all yes); approval of policies BBBB‑2 and BDC as presented (motion carried, roll call all yes); adoption of the amended 2024–25 academic calendar and EPIC calendar revision (motion carried, roll call all yes); approval of the memorandum of understanding with the Carnegie Foundation (motion carried, roll call all yes); approval of Liberty Middle School track and field remodel bids (motion carried, roll call all yes); and approval of several time‑sensitive contracts and purchases (motion carried, roll call all yes).