Gravette board accepts coach’s resignation after public pleas to keep him

The Gravette School District Board of Education on March 20 accepted the resignation of coach Chris Weller and appointed interim staff to cover his duties, after multiple parents and community members used the public-comment period to press the board to find a way to retain him.

Supporters who spoke at the meeting said Weller has had a sustained positive impact on student-athletes and urged the board to reopen dialogue before the resignation becomes final. One parent who addressed the board said, “Coach Weller is one of the best coaches to ever work here…he has helped build the cross country program” and asked the district to “give him another chance to land here in this town with our kids.”

The appeals came during the public-comment portion of the board meeting and focused on Weller’s record coaching cross country and track, his role as a mentor and the program stability his presence provided. A community speaker who identified herself as Miss Nichols told the board Weller was “a mentor, a motivator, and a leader by example” and said the district should consider how it retains and supports high-impact educators. Board members responded that employment matters can limit what the board may discuss publicly, but they expressed appreciation for the speakers and acknowledged the emotional tenor of the issue.

Formally, the board moved to approve the resignation of Chris Weller, effective March 4, 2025. The motion to accept the resignation was seconded and approved by the board. Following that vote the board approved interim assignments to cover athletics and coaching duties for the remainder of the school year: Bryce Warren was moved to interim head track coach and James McVay was moved to interim assistant track coach to fill the vacancies caused by the resignation. Board members said the interim appointments are short-term solutions while the district posts openings and conducts a search for permanent hires.

Board officials described next steps as posting the open coaching and related teaching positions and recruiting candidates during the normal hiring cycle, rather than rushing an immediate permanent hire. The board said it will seek candidates with cross-country and distance-running experience to maintain program continuity, and that any longer-term hires will be made as part of the regular staffing process for the next contract year.

The resignations and interim appointments were taken during the meeting’s personnel section. No additional personnel actions related to this item were announced at the meeting. The board also noted that some parents and athletes who would have attended the meeting instead were competing out of town, which speakers said reflects the ongoing activity and success of the programs Weller led.

The board did not set a public date to revisit the personnel decision. Board members said job postings and candidate recruitment would proceed through standard district human-resources processes, and that they would aim to minimize disruption to student athletes and classroom schedules.

Ending: The board’s immediate personnel votes place interim coaches in the positions for the remainder of the 2024–25 school year while the district begins recruitment for permanent replacements; parents and community members urged the board to pursue reconciliation and prioritize retaining high-performing educators.