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Coaches and community push Santa Rosa board for paid women’s wrestling staff and updated contract language
Summary
Several coaches and parents urged the board during public comment to create paid coaching stipends and update contractual language that still lists only boys' coaching positions; speakers said paid positions would increase participation and competitive opportunities for girls wrestling.
Multiple coaches, parents and a teacher used the public‑comment period at the June 25 board meeting to press the district to create paid coaching positions and update athletic contracts to recognize girls wrestling as its own, paid program.
What speakers said: Tim Bruce, Marie Carrillo High School head wrestling coach, told trustees the district treats wrestling as coed in contracts even though girls wrestling has separate sections and championships at the state level and across the North Coast Section. Bruce said other local districts pay stipends for girls‑only wrestling head and assistant coaches.
Windsor coach Brian Tidewater said Windsor pays separate stipends and that schools that provide dedicated girls coaching get more girls on the mat and better competitive opportunities. Will Lyon, Santa Rosa High School head coach, said the athletics appendix to the collective bargaining agreement still lists roles as “boys head coach” and “boys assistant coach” and “ignores girls completely,” and asked the district to add titles such as “girls assistant” to clarify stipend eligibility.
Why it matters: Speakers argued that paid positions increase participation, ensure coaches can consistently attend girls‑only tournaments and improve safety and competitive parity. Trustees did not take immediate action at the June 25 meeting; speakers requested staff review the coaching appendix and stipend schedule.
Speakers and attribution: Public‑comment speakers on this subject included Tim Bruce (Marie Carrillo High School coach), Brian Tidewater (Windsor girls wrestling coach), Vanessa Ruiz (teacher and parent), and Will Lyon (Santa Rosa High School coach). All quotes and attributions in this account come from those speakers during the June 25 public‑comment session.
