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Parent urges board to keep popular coach as robotics teams and band earn state and world qualifications
Summary
During public comment, Judith Shorter asked the Borden-Henryville board not to let football coach Matthew Payne leave, crediting him with improving her son’s health and academics; the meeting also featured recognition of multiple robotics teams (some advancing to state and two to world competition) and band achievements.
A Henryville parent told the Borden-Henryville School Corporation board she does not want the district to lose a football coach who, she said, transformed her son’s health and school performance.
Judith Shorter, who signed up to speak during public comment, described her son Ryan’s progress after joining coach Matthew Payne’s weight-training program: "Ryan lost... he's no longer in danger of diabetes... He joined that weight program... He's academically stronger." Shorter praised the coach and urged the board to encourage him not to step down, saying, "If he's making a difference in Ryan's life, he had to have made a difference in other kids' lives."
Superintendent Brent Comer thanked Shorter for speaking and said the district might use her remarks in recruitment or publicity. The board did not take any personnel action regarding Coach Payne during the meeting.
Earlier in the meeting the board recognized multiple robotics teams at the elementary and high-school levels. The superintendent and other staff named team members and coaches and noted that several teams qualified for state competitions; two teams were identified as qualifying for the World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. A district staff member said the world-bound teams will compete against approximately 591 other teams from about 26 countries, and praised students for putting in several hundred hours of practice this season.
The board also recognized the marching band for placing eighth statewide at the ISSMA Scholastic finals and noted a student who earned a gold rating at the state solo and ensemble contest. Band director Natalie Humble was named in the recognition.
What’s next The superintendent and board members acknowledged Shorter’s comments and thanked her for speaking. No personnel motions related to Coach Payne were made at this meeting; any personnel matters would be handled through the district’s processes and, if necessary, on a future agenda.
