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Parents, players urge Pickerington board to keep Central coaches amid review
Summary
Multiple parents, players and coaches told the Pickerington Local School District board that the Pickerington Central volleyball and track programs have thrived under the current coaching staff and urged the district to avoid dismissals that they said would harm student athletes.
Dozens of parents, players and coaches spoke during public comment at the Pickerington Local School District board meeting on Oct. 27, urging the board to retain members of the Pickerington Central volleyball and track staffs amid a personnel review.
The meeting opened with a series of speakers who said the coaches create a "true family culture" and emphasize academics, student safety and college preparation. "Coach Furlong has gone above and beyond for the central volleyball program," a parent said, adding that the staff "holds athletes accountable, teach valuable life lessons that extend far beyond volleyball and genuinely care about each player's development both on and off the court." (Speaker S8)
Tashina Green, who said she was reading a statement on behalf of her husband, coach Darren Green, told the board the coach is a district employee currently on military order and asked the board to "review these matters and help ensure that this can be resolved professionally without retaliation." (Speaker S9) Jennifer Green, who identified herself as a Pickerington Central track coach, and several parents described championships, scholarships and long‑term positive impacts on student athletes under the current staff. Parent Jermaine Archie said the coaches "have been such a positive influence, especially for my daughter," noting a scholarship outcome he'd attribute to coaching support. (Speakers S10, S12)
Ian Alls, speaking for his family, urged the board not to "change it" after recent program success, saying, "If it's not broke, don't fix it." (Speaker S5) A student who identified herself as Madison Rutherford said the coaching staff helped her academically and socially, adding that, "When it is over, we are glad we did it." (Speaker S6)
Board members acknowledged the public comments and the superintendent's office said the board would not take any immediate action on comments during the meeting. Superintendent staff said they will follow up with athletic department leaders to ensure community concerns are heard and to consider next steps.
Why it matters: Board decisions about staffing and supplemental contracts can affect program continuity, student experiences and extracurricular opportunities. The public commentators asked the board to weigh those programmatic impacts alongside any personnel processes.
What happens next: Board members said they will connect with athletic directors and staff to develop a response and follow‑up plan; no formal personnel action or vote on coaching positions was taken at the Oct. 27 meeting.
