Coach Webster's contract rescinded

At the Libby School Board of Trustees meeting Monday night at the K.W. Maki Theatre, while the winter coaches’ and advisors’ contracts were unanimously approved, one fall coaching contract, the contract for boys soccer coach Charlie Webster, was quietly rescinded.

The name of the coach was not mentioned and there was no discussion initiated by those in attendance after the motion to rescind was read.

After the meeting, Superintendent Craig Barringer confirmed that the contract for the high school boys’ soccer coach Charlie Webster is not going to be extended for next year.

In January, the Libby School Board voted 5-2 to approve the full roster of fall coaches.

A letter to Superintendent Craig Barringer dated April 6, assistant principal and athletic director Jim Germany recommended  Webster’s contract to be rescinded.

The brief letter states, “Due to the current circumstances surrounding the boys soccer program I feel that he (Webster) can no longer effectively coach the team next year.”

In compliance with Montana public meetings laws intended to keep the public informed on proposed actions at the board meetings, the Libby School District posts their agendas on their web page. Germany’s letter is included in the packet of information and the action to rescind the contract is listed in the personnel section under extra curricular hiring for 2015-2016.

Without reviewing that packet the audience would have likely been unaware of what occurred in regards to Webster’s contract.

“They wouldn’t have known it, but if you live in Libby you would have known,” said six-year board member and chair Ellen Johnston.

Johnston said during her time on the board there has never been a contract rescinded after it was approved.

Because of privacy concerns, board members are unable to discuss personal issues with the public or media. Any discussion about the resolution to rescind Webster’s contract would have been limited to voicing favor of disfavor for the motion, however there was none.

“Typically, in my experience, the ones that would respond are usually the employees,” Barringer said. “Sometimes there are other people there, but the only thing they can talk about is the motion itself.

“Montana laws are really geared towards protecting employees and I can see why. I’ve been in meetings where they would love nothing better than to attack a person at a meeting.”

The lack of response from the audience surprised board member Susan Monahan.

“There was a way we thought the meeting was going to go, but it didn’t go that way at all,” she said. “When we made the motion to rescind the contract we all kind of looked around and nothing happened. Unfortunately, I just know I can’t offer much because of it being a personnel issue. There’s so much more I wish I could say, but I can’t,” she said.

 Barringer said the decision to rescind Webster’s contract wasn’t the result of any action or evidence received since it was approved in January.

 “There were things that transpired since that time, it wasn’t new information, but things that have transpired since then,” he said.

Whatever has transpired has led to the loss of a coach who’s been at the helm since 2008. Webster’s first year as coach resulted in a state championship, which was followed up with a second  in 2010. The Loggers made the playoffs in every year of Webster’s tenure.

One issue that apparently raised the hackles of some in the community came during last year’s soccer season. In an article in The Western News, Webster discussed a change he decided to make in the team’s formation. He said the change was unpopular with some parents and players, but necessary for the success of the team.

Webster mentions that the parents mutinied and that he was told that he ruined the team.

The team was able to bounce back from early season struggles and earn a spot in the playoffs, but would lose to a strong Corvallis team.

The article was referenced during the January school board meeting by the former assistant coach of the team before being stopped from further commenting by board chair Ellen Johnston.

The Western News contacted the district executive secretary, Ellen Mills, to review the contract of Charlie Webster. At the time, the superintendent was not in the office and she said she was unable to produce the document.

The following day another verbal request was offered and was met with the same response. The Western News then produced a written request for said document, whereupon Mills said she was unable to give the document because she didn’t have it.

Later that day Barringer offered the document in hard copy form.

The contract only provides information pertaining to the sport Webster was hired to coach, dates of the agreement, salary and payment options.

Barringer said the situation with Webster is unique in his experience. “You know what, this is new to me,” he said.

Webster is currently out of town and could not be reached for comment on this story.

The winter high school head coaches whose contracts were approved include: boys’ basketball coachers Josh Bean, Nik Rewerts and Chad Collins; girls’ basketball coaches Jim May, Jon England and Jackie DeShazer; wrestling coaches, Kelly Morford and John Love; concessions staff member Patty Rambo; business professionals of America advisor Michelle Foss and cheerleading advisor Jen McElmurry.