Milford board approves contracts as parents and volunteers press complaints over athletics oversight

The Milford Exempted Village Board of Education unanimously approved contracts and personnel items during its Oct. 16 meeting while fielding multiple public comments criticizing recent personnel decisions in the district—s athletics programs.

Parents, volunteers and former program leaders addressed the board during two public-comment periods, raising concerns about the handling of complaints, investigations and hiring for coaching positions. "You're going to hire a liar," said Anthony Brothers, a resident speaking during the first public-comment period, adding he believed the board should know details about prospective hires before approving contracts.

Several speakers described separate but related complaints submitted to the district. Roger Smith, a former wrestling booster and program volunteer, said Anthony Brothers had been a longtime contributor to the wrestling program and urged the board to consider his account. "He was my right hand man for the past three years," Smith said.

Kathleen Faulkner and her husband, Dustin Faulkner, said they had filed a formal complaint and urged stronger athletic oversight. "Student athletes deserve to feel safe, they deserve to feel respected," Kathleen Faulkner said, criticizing what she called inadequate responses to prior concerns and urging better complaint handling and program supervision. Dustin Faulkner said the family followed the district—s process and would continue to press for accountability.

Board members did not debate the substance of individual allegations during the public-comment period; later in the meeting a board member reiterated that personnel complaints follow the district—s written policy and must be filed and processed through the established steps. "When we talk about personnel matters, we take them very, very seriously, and we do not just take one person's opinion," the board member said, referencing district policy KLDR for public complaints about personnel.

Despite the public testimony, the board approved contracts and related personnel items on the consent agenda by roll call. The motions to approve the listed contracts, to accept donations, and to approve personnel consent items were each moved, seconded and passed with all five board members — Missus Will, Missus Powers, Mister Wilson, Missus Chestnut and Missus Mason — recorded as voting yes.

The agenda did not identify the individual contract recipients in the public transcript; the board—s vote sheet lists the contract approvals as part of the consent agenda but does not specify further employment details in the meeting record. The board asked residents with formal concerns to file written complaints so the district can follow policy and investigatory steps that, according to the board, include progressive stages beginning with the person against whom a complaint is directed.

The board did not announce any immediate personnel discipline or reversals during the meeting. Trustees said they would follow the district—s complaint procedures and that the investigation and review processes, including any outside reviews, would determine next steps.

The meeting record shows no additional formal votes tied to specific coaching contracts in public debate; the contract approvals on the consent agenda passed as presented. Public commenters said they would continue to pursue formal channels and return to future meetings if necessary.

Provenance: The article summarizes public commentary and the roll-call approvals occurring during the Oct. 16 meeting. Topic-related remarks begin at 00:19:24 and continue through multiple public comments and board response later in the meeting.

Ending: The board closed the meeting after routine business and announced the next regular meeting for Nov. 13; residents with concerns were instructed to file complaints in writing under policy KLDR so the district can follow formal investigative procedures.