Heavier than normal attendance was present at the Monday, Sept. 29 Dublin ISD school board meeting as parents gathered to voice concerns about the athletic department.
A call out on social media encouraged parents to become more involved and attend school board meetings to learn what is going on within the district.
Three parents spoke during the non-agenda public comment section that is located at the end of every meeting. A public comment section on agenda items is located toward the front of meeting agenda. No one spoke regarding any agenda item.
Reed Howard addressed the board first stating he had three kids in the Dublin school district.
“I care deeply about this community and the future of our kids – both in the classroom and on the field. What is truly sad and disappointing is that our kids actually want to win. These boys are hungry for success – not meaningless playoff appearances where you go 2-8 and get blown out in the first round,” he said.
Howard said currently there are 38 football players in the entire high school program, and that for a school of Dublin’s size there should be 5060.
“This isn’t a one time dip. It’s a clear pattern, year after year – participation continues to drop while the program remains stuck in the past. Instead of recognizing this downward trend it seems like the board continues to look the other way,” Howard said. “When does the cycle finally break? When does the board make the tough decisions that lead to real change? We need young, hungry coaches who want to build something here instead Dublin has a history of running those kind of coaches off, often at the hands of the staff that are already underperforming.”
Howard said last year Dublin lost eight coaches without one single exit interview being conducted, and that alone should raise concerns about retention, culture and leadership.
“We have the athletes, it’s not a lack of talent. What is missing is leadership that adapts to players we have – not a recycled playbook from 20 years ago,” he said. “Out of respect I believe it’s time for new leadership – a head coach and coordinators who can truly build a program and stop the revolving door of talent and staff.”
Howard encouraged the board to act on the following three solutions: Start conducting formal exit interviews Launch an open and transparent hiring process Develop a clear athletic division of accountability including measurable goals for participation, player development and a competitive performance review annually “I want to be clear. I am very proud of Dublin academics. I am very proud of what they do in the classroom. You can see it right here – they are so proud to get those certificates [at the beginning of the meeting]. But we don’t get that in athletics … it goes all the way down from football, to baseball, to softball.”
Stephanie McNeal Howard, Reed’s wife, also spoke at the meeting.
“This is how you attract people to want to live here,” commenting about her husband’s enthusiasm for Dublin since he is not from here.
Stephanie stated they were live streaming the meaning because they want people to become involved and possibly consider running for school board seats.
“Really I’m here to make everyone a little bit uncomfortable by talking about accountability,” she said. “This is something I have not seen across the board.”
Stephanie said that everyone knew why sports were important and for her, basketball was what gave her enjoyment since she hated school.
She told a story of a starting student athlete flipping off the opposing team, getting a technical and then being allowed to start after halftime.
“This is just what I am talking about when I say there is no accountability with the kids,” she said. “It’s setting the wrong tone, it’s showing what we are as a community and it’s not looking good. I was really unimpressed coming from Stephenville.”
Stephanie said after that she honestly just wants to take her kids and run, but moving back home— meeting the community— she still feels loved and welcomed even through difficult conversations.
“That says a lot to me, and that’s why I want to be here and raise my kids here,” she said.
Stephanie said during games she looks around and sees tired faces, coaches who are worn down and out of ideas.
“I’m not a coach, I’m not a sports director but I do know that there isn’t a job in the world that you keep because you are a good person and you work hard,” she said. “We aren’t soft and if you aren’t producing, we need to try something new. I’m not saying fire everyone right now but try something new, keep people accountable and think outside the box.”
Stephanie asked the district to establish a clear accountability model similar to something they would do who isn’t producing on a STAAR test.
“Wins and losses matter but so does fire, leadership, and most of all how you respond when something clearly isn’t working,” she said. “If nothing changes Dublin will continue to lose not just games but athletes and families. Please wake up, get uncomfortable and get the community involved.”
Karem Joslin, another parent, also spoke saying she found herself having to defend herself more and more regarding Dublin.
“People ask me why I keep my kids here, why I put up with it and remind me how talented my kids are and how much better they could have it somewhere else,” she said. “Honestly, I’ve started asking myself how much longer can I defend Dublin? I don’t want to move my kids, I never have. What I really want is for us to prove to other communities that we can make real change right here. But it takes all of us … not just one program or department to step up for our kids. We all know where it needs to start and together we can make Dublin the place our kids deserve.”
Board President Bob Cervetto thanked everyone for being willing to speak to the board.
“I just want to say thank you for your willingness to come talk to us because communication is very, very important,” he said.
Superintendent Melissa Summers offered the following comment after the meeting in a phone interview with the Dublin Citizen, “Honest dialogue, even when difficult, is a vital part of progress. We’re confident that our coaches, all of whom are deeply committed mentors on and off the field, will take this as an opportunity to reflect and continue building programs that make our school proud.”
In regular agenda, the school board recognized a slew of students during monthly awards (see page A8).
Business Manager Kassi Eads addressed the board about finalizing the 2024-25 budget which is about to close.
She said the district is set to transfer about $1.2 million into the fund balance which should help the district make a huge insurance deductible for new roofs on every campus and structure.
“We are hoping to improve the roof structures too so we don’t have these issues in the future,” Superintendent Melissa Summers said.
Summers also addressed the district’s intruder detection audit which they passed again.
An update was given on the ag farm which is currently for sale near the airport by the district.
No bids of at least $300,000 were given so the board is extending the bidding deadline until December on the acreage.
The board codified local policies passed in legislative season for library materials and cell phone policies, and took no action after closed session involving personnel matters.