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Board delays vote on volleyball coaching appointment after ethics concerns
Summary
The Anderson Union High School District board pulled and deferred a consent-item vote on recommending Justin Bixby as head volleyball coach after extensive public comment raised conflict-of-interest and process concerns; the item will return next month for a fuller board consideration.
The Anderson Union High School District board on April 15 declined to take final action on a recommendation to appoint Justin Bixby as the district's head volleyball coach after community members urged the trustees to move the item out of the consent agenda and to answer questions about transparency and possible conflicts.
During a lengthy public-comment period, parents, alumni and coaches presented sharply divided views. Kirsten Payton, West Valley freshman volleyball coach, told the board: "Tonight, you are being asked to move forward with Justin Bixby, a man who is still serving as principal until June 2026," and cited the district's January 21 resolution that administrators generally "shall not be eligible to serve as athletic coaches while employed in an administrative capacity." Several speakers raised the timeline of the vacancy, the internal-only posting and whether people who had been supervised by Mr. Bixby participated in hiring.
Supporters of Mr. Bixby also spoke. Jennifer Vanderbeek, a West Valley teacher, described him as "very encouraging" and praised his work with students and staff. Multiple former players and parents described Mr. Bixby as an inspiring and committed coach.
Trustees moved to pull consent item 5.2 for separate discussion. Because only three trustees were present and votes were split, the board recorded that no final action could be taken under the applicable attendance rule; the motion carried to defer the item to next month's meeting. Board members and the superintendent said a full board presence will be preferable when the item returns so the public receives a definitive outcome.
The board did not make a hiring determination at the April meeting; the superintendent said the matter will appear on the next regular agenda for further consideration.
