Ayala students, parents press board to reinstate coaches and seek independent review after resignations

Students, parents and booster members from Ayala High School asked the Chino Valley Unified Board of Education to reinstate coaches and the athletic director, and several speakers called for an independent investigation into recent resignations and administrative decisions.

Ella Chang, an Ayala water polo player, told the board: “We as students were not provided with transparency as to why our previous coaches are no longer qualified to coach us.” Incoming junior Kalista Meyer said coach Hammond “pushed me and believed in me and made me feel like I actually belong on this team.” Multiple students echoed that plea. Chloe Utterback, an incoming junior and varsity water polo player, said reinstating the coaches is necessary because students feel ignored: “Please give us back our coaches and our athletic director.”

Speakers also described two recent senior resignations and departures involving athletic leadership. Nandar (speaker self-identified by first name in public comment) and others asked the board to open an independent investigation and provided printed materials, emails and articles for review. A speaker noted that athletic director Warren Reed resigned, and that the Ayala community had demonstrated in support of staff and coaches outside the campus earlier in May.

Board member Jonathan Monroe said he had received student appeals and asked the superintendent to speak with athletic director Reid to see whether the resignation could be reconsidered; Dr. Enfield replied that district staff had already approached the individual but acknowledged the students’ concerns. Monroe said he would continue to advocate for students’ requests.

Speakers included student athletes, parents and boosters who said practices and team morale had declined since coaching staff left. Several asked that the board consider an independent review; no formal motion to open an investigation was introduced during the meeting. The board accepted the public comments and district staff indicated they will follow up with school administrators about personnel decisions and community concerns.

The remarks at the public microphone were emotional and focused on transparency, student well-being and the impact of leadership changes on extracurricular programs. Several speakers asked the board to prioritize listening to student voices in staffing decisions affecting athletics.