Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Reporter left out ‘the other side’ in coach dismissal story

Unfortunately, the reporter who reported on the situation at Whitewater Middle School did not get the entire story. Obviously, no parents were interviewed, only the principal and the Powers. The following facts were omitted from the paper:

1. The daughter of [Fayette County Board of Education member] Greg Powers did not make the team. A second try-out was held after [Coach] Jill Collins was released from her duties, and the young lady did make the team.

2. Jill Collins did not resign. She was removed from the position of coach.

3. Mrs. Powers [wife of the school board member] threatened to “have Jill Collins’ job” since her daughter did not make the team. This was done in the parking lot after the team was announced.

4. Ms. Kidd met with the Powers over dinner after the final cut.

5. Jill Collins was threatened with an ethics violation against her teaching certificate by the Whitewater administration. Only after Ms. Collins retained a lawyer who met with county-level officials was the decision made not to pursue an ethics violation against her certificate.

6. The tryouts were closed to parents. Mrs. Powers sat in the stands during the closed tryouts.

7. Greg Powers told parents of girls who did make the team how their daughters scored on the tryout score sheets. Obviously someone showed the Powers these sheets.

8. No parents are satisfied with the results. Obviously the paper made no attempt to contact the parents.

As a parent, I am appalled the paper would let itself be used by the Powers family and the principal of Whitewater Middle School. By presenting only one side of the issue, The Citizen presented a very one-sided view of the ongoing situation. Also, Jill Collins did not resign.

I would like to see an additional story printed by the paper which presents both sides of the issue.

Mark Jones

Fayetteville, Ga.