Community members urge board to show 'grace' for coach Lawrence Hughes amid personnel review
March 23, 2023 | Fountain Hills Unified School, School Districts, Arizona
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At the start of the board's public comment period, multiple students, parents and community members spoke in defense of high‑school coach Lawrence Hughes, asking the governing board for leniency and highlighting his long service to youth sports.
Caroline Els, introduced by the board for public comment, said she has played softball under Hughes and described him as someone who "cared about us" and "treated me like family." She said the team supported his actions because they allowed them to play and that "we did not mean to hurt anyone this season."
Other speakers echoed that sentiment. Anastasia Wisher said Hughes "has been a pillar of this community" and volunteers time and resources for youth programs. Heather Chandler told the board, "This man gives his all... It would do anything for these kids," and warned that removing Hughes would harm seniors' college recruitment opportunities and could drive families elsewhere. Robin Bratcher, who said she has known Hughes for nearly 20 years, recounted fundraising and volunteer work he has done for programs and questioned whether the district was showing a double standard in discipline.
Speakers repeatedly asked the board to consider Hughes' intent and long record of service. Several referenced staff or district decisions taken quickly and described the consequences for players whose statistics and opportunities they said had been harmed. No board action on Hughes' status was recorded during the meeting; the public comment period concluded and the board moved to information items.
The board president prefaced public comment by reminding attendees that the board's response to public comment is limited by Arizona law and that personnel complaints are discouraged during open comment. ARS 38‑431.01(h) — the state's open‑meeting provision cited by staff — allows the board to respond only by directing staff to study a matter, scheduling it for later consideration, or responding to criticism.
Next steps: Public speakers asked the board to consider community feedback; board members thanked speakers and continued with scheduled agenda items. No personnel decision was announced on the record.
Caroline Els, introduced by the board for public comment, said she has played softball under Hughes and described him as someone who "cared about us" and "treated me like family." She said the team supported his actions because they allowed them to play and that "we did not mean to hurt anyone this season."
Other speakers echoed that sentiment. Anastasia Wisher said Hughes "has been a pillar of this community" and volunteers time and resources for youth programs. Heather Chandler told the board, "This man gives his all... It would do anything for these kids," and warned that removing Hughes would harm seniors' college recruitment opportunities and could drive families elsewhere. Robin Bratcher, who said she has known Hughes for nearly 20 years, recounted fundraising and volunteer work he has done for programs and questioned whether the district was showing a double standard in discipline.
Speakers repeatedly asked the board to consider Hughes' intent and long record of service. Several referenced staff or district decisions taken quickly and described the consequences for players whose statistics and opportunities they said had been harmed. No board action on Hughes' status was recorded during the meeting; the public comment period concluded and the board moved to information items.
The board president prefaced public comment by reminding attendees that the board's response to public comment is limited by Arizona law and that personnel complaints are discouraged during open comment. ARS 38‑431.01(h) — the state's open‑meeting provision cited by staff — allows the board to respond only by directing staff to study a matter, scheduling it for later consideration, or responding to criticism.
Next steps: Public speakers asked the board to consider community feedback; board members thanked speakers and continued with scheduled agenda items. No personnel decision was announced on the record.
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