Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
June 9, 2009

Keys board tables coach’s contract issue

By TRAVINA COLEMAN

Disappointed faces and sighs filled the already full library at Keys High School Monday night.

A special board of education meeting was called in response to the firing of teacher and coach Lisa Burton.

According to Lindsey Henry, Keys graduate of 2005 and former player for Burton, the Keys coach found out about her dismissal as she and the 2009-’10 girls basketball team was getting ready for camp. “It’s not fair,” Henry said. “Coach Burton is an awesome teacher and coach.”

Henry was not the only one outraged. More than 25 people showed up in support of Burton, appealing to the school board for reconsideration of their action.

Parent and resident Kip Slack addressed the board.

“Teachers shouldn’t fear losing their jobs because an unhappy parent calls the school board to complain,” he said. “We have all seen this go on in other areas, and now they can’t get good teachers or coaches.”

Slack suggested a system where complaints could be heard fairly by the administration, rather than going to a school board member at home.

“If we could get it documented, and go through a chain of command or inquiry it would take pressure off board members,” he said. “If there is something like that we should consider using it and if not we need one.”

The board returned to open session, tabling any further discussion or vote about the high school coaching duties and contracts.

Tracy McMullen, Keys High School teacher, said she is shocked and upset by the dismissal of Burton.

“It’s a scary situation for the school board to be making all the discussions,” she said.What’s next

The next regular Keys School Board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 6, in the high school library.

Text Only
Local News
  • kp Burger main.tif What’s on the bun?

    Perhaps no other food on the American summer holiday menu epitomizes patriotism more than a good old-fashioned hamburger.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • Best gifts can be made from scratch

    When hand-crafting gifts to honor loved ones or friends, a fellowship can be born.

    May 25, 2012

  • Injury crash provokes felony charge

    Prosecutors have charged a Tahlequah man for his alleged role in causing a crash that put another man on life support.
    The charges stem from a May 18 crash at the intersection of the State Highway 51 West bypass and Vinita.

    May 25, 2012

  • Testimony in Butcher trial centers on evidence

    Testimony given throughout the day Thursday in the first-degree murder case against Bronson William Butcher centered mostly on the state’s investigation of the case.

    May 25, 2012

  • Oklahoma City man charged with larceny here

    Prosecutors in Cherokee County have charged an Oklahoma City man with grand larceny, second-degree burglary, and larceny of an automobile.

    May 25, 2012

  • Local men’s shelter at risk of closing

    Tom Lewis walked through the semi-completed expansion at Project O Si Yo Thursday, pointing out what services could be provided to area homeless men, if only the funding were available.

    May 25, 2012

  • jn tps cmty meeting.tif TPS officials eye earlier start times

    A handful of Tahlequah Public Schools parents voiced concern Wednesday evening about a potential change in school start-and-stop times for the upcoming year.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Food for thought

    With representatives from the Oklahoma Farm & Food Alliance, Sustainable Green Country and Cherokee Nation Healthy Nation Division in attendance, the Tahlequah Food Policy Council on Tuesday shared their ideas on establishing sustainable local food sources for retail ventures.

    May 24, 2012

  • Defense attorney: Witness changed his story

    The defense counsel for Bronson Butcher on Wednesday targeted eyewitness accounts of a man who claims he saw the accused shoot an Oktaha man at a Tahlequah home in March 2011.

    May 24, 2012

  • ra CancerCarnival.tif TMS Cancer Carnival raises funds

    The Tahlequah Middle School Student Council held its 6th Annual Student Council Cancer Carnival Wednesday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. 

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

Poll

What do you plan to do over the Memorial Day weekend?

Go to Lake Tenkiller or Lake Fort Gibson.
Go to the Illinois River.
Attend ceremonies to honor veterans.
Spend time at home with family and/or friends.
Go out of town with family and/or friends.
A combination of the above.
None of the above.
     View Results
Press Sports Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
AP Video
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Stocks
Bedlam