Parent asks Clay County Schools to review varsity volleyball cuts after seniors removed without explanation

A Clay County parent on Aug. 14 told the school board that multiple senior volleyball players were removed from the varsity roster this season without explanation and asked the district to review the decision and consider apologizing to affected students.

The parent, who spoke during the board’s public-comment period and was not identified by name on the record, said three senior girls and one junior were cut from the team after years of participation. “They had played for multiple years and dedicated their time to that,” the parent said. She told the board the cuts were “hurtful” to the students and said she feared the change could affect college applications for seniors who list athletics on their applications.

The parent said she and other parents had supported the program — fundraising and organizing sponsorships — and that coaches earlier had asked parents to help field a freshman team. She said she had not spoken directly with the coach and would prefer the matter not be made personal but asked the board to address the issue.

A board member responded by saying the board “do[es] not publicly comment in this forum, on personnel matters, whether it be a coach, a teacher, student situation,” and that the board would “take this under consideration and discuss it with the principal, with the coach, the director, and, in light of your comments.”

The board’s response acknowledged the parent’s concerns while noting that personnel matters are handled outside of the public meeting. The transcript shows the board offered to review the situation with school leadership rather than discuss personnel details during open session.

Ending

The board thanked the parent for being respectful during public comment and said school administrators would follow up with the principal and coach to review the situation.