Students and supporters ask Yuma Union High School District to reconsider firing of coach Amy Sauter

Students and community members urged the Yuma Union High School District governing board at its regular meeting to reconsider the district’s decision to dismiss cross-country coach Amy Sauter.

Harlow Reyes, a junior at Cibola High School and an athlete on the Cibola track and cross-country teams, told the board: “Coach Amy isn't just a coach. She's someone who showed up for us every day, who paid attention to us as individuals, and who genuinely cared about who we were beyond just being athletes.” Several speakers said they gathered signatures and handwritten letters in support of the coach and said team morale has fallen since her removal.

Other speakers gave specific examples of the coach’s role in supporting students. DeMarquez Altamirano, a Cibola sophomore, said Amy Sauter “was a great coach, and it's unfortunate she was let go,” describing how the coach encouraged athletes both on and off the track. Aurora Weed, a sophomore who ran JV distance, described the coach’s attention to athletes’ physical and emotional well-being and urged the board to “reevaluate your decision in terminating coach Amy.”

Not all public commenters framed the issue the same way. Lee Grama, a Cibola varsity runner, questioned the validity of allegations presented at a previous board meeting and said athletes were not asked for their perspectives when complaints were raised. He told the board he was “here to question the validity of her accusations of false advocating.” Julian Bayardo and others emphasized that many athletes and parents supported the coach and asked the board to recognize what they described as an injustice.

The remarks were made during the meeting’s call to the public; board members did not take formal action on the matter during the session. The public commenters said they hoped the board would review petitions and letters left with district staff and that the district provide further consideration of the concerns raised by athletes and families.