Fernley parents and students seek second tryouts after contentious Fernley High cheer selections

Parents, students and former coaches urged the Lyon County School District Board of Trustees on May 27 to intervene after Fernley High School’s spring cheer tryouts left several seniors and returning varsity members off the single team the school announced.

Dozens of speakers — students, parents and former varsity coaches — described what they called inconsistent scoring, lack of an independent judging panel and a perceived pattern of favoritism for freshmen coached previously by the new coach. “I am asking for a second chance,” senior Miley Michaelson told the board. “Please give us another chance to have our senior year.”

Why it matters: Hundreds of students tried out for cheer programs across the district this spring. At Fernley High, parents said more than 60 girls tried out and only one squad was formed, creating the concern that seniors would lose traditional senior-year rites such as senior night and rallies. Several parents and students said they had not received standard communications or rubrics and that some were given conflicting explanations after tryouts.

What speakers said: Several speakers described a two-day tryout process during which, they said, the new coach used different standards for freshmen than for upperclassmen. Student Jillian Lash, who said she had been a varsity lettered cheerleader, told the board she and many veterans were cut despite longstanding experience and competition results. Parent Kendall Cameron Lash said the athletic director and principal told some parents they could have added a JV squad if needed, while others were told only one team was allowed.

Former Fernley cheer coach Erin Dunnegan told the board she saw experienced athletes cut and said the district should consider reopening tryouts over the summer before official rosters are due and allow additional judges at tryouts. “You don’t really get to see any of the skills for those girls” in two days of tryouts, she said.

District response at the meeting: Trustees fielded dozens of public comments and repeatedly directed speakers to meet with site administration and the athletic director. Superintendent Tim Logan acknowledged the parents’ concerns and noted follow-up conversations were already underway. Trustee Farr, whose jurisdiction includes Fernley, told the board he has repeatedly heard concerns about communication patterns at Fernley High and asked the superintendent to address them. The board did not take action on the issue at the meeting.

What parents asked for: Reopen tryouts or hold a second, summer audition period; create both a varsity and JV squad so freshmen and seniors would both have rostered options; add independent judges to reduce potential bias; and produce clearer rubrics and communications in advance of tryouts.

District and next steps: Trustees urged parents to meet with the principal and athletic director as the first step. Superintendent Logan told the board staff would follow up with site leadership and provide a written summary to trustees. The board did not place the matter on the meeting agenda for action that night.

Ending: Parents and students left the meeting saying they expected further communications from the district and the principal; trustees said they would monitor the follow-up and consider whether additional board-level action or policy review was needed.