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Spring Mills community urges board to reinstate head coach during public comments
Summary
Dozens of students, parents and community members urged the Berkeley County Board of Education to reinstate Spring Mills High School head coach, who has been on administrative leave; commenters said the coach provides mentorship and academic support and that the team's season and players’ opportunities are affected.
Dozens of students, parents and community members used the public-comment portion of the Berkeley County Schools Board of Education meeting on March 3 to press the board to reinstate Spring Mills High School head coach, who has been on administrative leave.
Speakers said the coach’s absence has hurt the team’s morale and could derail players’ recruiting and a run at a state title. The board did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting.
Why it matters: Commenters said the coach is not only the team leader but a mentor whose presence affects students’ athletic recruiting, academic progress and emotional well‑being. Several parents and players said suspending the coach has effectively punished students during a competitive season.
Multiple students and parents described the coach as influential in helping athletes access college opportunities and academic support. “He cares about me as an athlete and as a person and student,” said Maximus Anderson, who identified himself as a four‑year captain and a student speaker. Several parents said they had sought meetings with district leaders and had received little or no response; Kista Apoku Achampong said, “Since [the coach] was placed on administrative leave with pay on February 3, parents, players, and community members have requested to meet with members of the board and have repeatedly been met with silence.”
An assistant coach and other athletic staff also spoke in support. Andrew Edmonson, who identified himself as the assistant varsity coach and a social‑studies teacher, said he had observed the head coach’s detailed preparation and the relationships the coach built with players and urged the board to consider reinstatement.
Parents and community members raised procedural concerns about communication and investigative transparency. Chrissy Shipley, a parent, said the situation has caused “lingering emotional distress and mental anguish” for athletes and families, and asked the board to prioritize student welfare.
No formal board action on reinstatement was recorded in the meeting minutes; the coach’s employment status remains an administrative matter. Several speakers said they want the board to meet with parents and students, and some asked for clearer communication and timelines from district leadership.
Ending: Speakers asked the board to consider the competitive season’s timing when weighing next steps and to provide a timeline for resolving open questions. The board moved on to agenda items and executive‑session business later in the meeting without announcing further action on the coach’s status.
