Community members urge board to back longtime coach Lisa Griffiths

Dozens of supporters of Big Bear High School’s girls soccer and golf programs addressed the Bear Valley Unified School District board during the public-comment period to urge the board to support longtime coach Lisa Griffiths.

Speakers — including current and former players, an assistant coach and parents — described Griffiths as a coach of many years who emphasizes accountability, teamwork and student development. Several speakers noted Griffiths’ long tenure and the breadth of her impact on students’ athletic and personal growth. "She has always been fair with her rules in playing time," said Ashley Gripp, a former player. Parent Megan Metters said she had “never witnessed ... bullying or inappropriate behavior” from Griffiths and urged the board to weigh the views of athletes and families who support the coach.

Board meeting rules and time limits governed the comment period. Multiple speakers read prepared letters and submitted them to the district for the record. Presenters described Griffiths as a 23-year fixture in the district’s programs and credited her with mentoring students, helping some secure collegiate opportunities, and building team culture. Assistant coach Yasika said Griffiths “treats everyone equally” and pushed students to improve on and off the field.

Speakers framed their remarks as firsthand testimony about the coach’s character and methods; none of the public-comments items recorded a formal board response or action on personnel related to those statements during the meeting. The board’s public-comment script reminded speakers that under the Brown Act the board may not act on items not on the agenda.

The board accepted copies of the letters submitted during the comment period for the record.