Parent urges board to reconsider coach’s removal, disputes verbal-abuse allegation

Raul Salazar, a local resident and parent, urged the Dexter Consolidated Schools board to reconsider the removal of a coach he identified as "Matt," disputing allegations the board says involved verbal abuse.

"My name is Raul. I'm an alumni of Matt Dexter," Salazar said, recounting his experience with the coach and his family's relationship to the school. He described the coach as a mentor who "puts in the work" and said multiple parents on the team share his concerns about the termination.

Salazar said a prior meeting to discuss the allegations "was scheduled a few weeks ago" but key administrators — he named the principal and Mr. Graves — did not attend; he said a later conversation with Mr. Graves informed the coach he was removed from coaching for the year and would be reconsidered next year after completing anger-management classes. Salazar characterized the coach's style as strict but said he believed it was appropriate: "They do yell ... they do demand more from certain kids ... To me, that's coaching," he said.

The comment period reflects community division over how the district handles coach discipline. Salazar asked board members — he addressed "President Bogos, Miss Miles, Miss Lopez" in his remarks — to bring the matter to Superintendent Graves and to "reconsider his allegation and his evaluations and his decision making," arguing the action affected not just one child but the school as a whole.

The board did not announce any immediate action in response to the public comment during the meeting. No formal hearing, appeal outcome, or administrative determination was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.