To the editor:

I have generally followed the philosophy of not openly criticizing the actions of elected public officials when it comes to performing their duties.

I have a certain regard for those who make the commitment to serve and have always believed the proper way to express one’s dissatisfaction is within the confines of the voting booth.

However, the recent actions by the Board of Education with regard to the Head Wrestling Coach position has left me little choice, and has prompted me to draft this letter.

Let me begin by saying that in the interest of full disclosure, one of the applicants is a friend of mine.

I came to know Matt Alward a while back when I served as a volunteer coach in the high school football program for several years.

I did not know him very well prior to that, but I was already somewhat aware of how his students and fellow staff members felt about him.

All indications led me to believe that this was somebody I could “throw in with” and that working with him would not only be gratifying, but also fun.

Early in our working relationship it became quickly apparent that Matt and I were fundamentally “on the same page.”

Despite the difference in our ages, we shared the same principles when it came to preparing athletes to be successful both on and off the field.

Matt’s drive, energy and enthusiasm were contagious, and I was amazed at how he could motivate young men to push beyond the limits they had set for themselves.

He possessed the ability to be able to communicate with young student athletes and coupled it with a no-nonsense approach in the way he conducted his practices.

In short, I have come to hold a great deal of respect for him and it is out of that mutual respect that our friendship grew.

When I learned of his interest in the wrestling position, I asked him if there was anything I could do.

He replied that he appreciated it but was hoping his body of work as a teacher and coach in this school district would speak for itself.

In hindsight, it appears that it’s one of the few times that Matt has underestimated the challenge at hand.

While I am arriving a bit late in publicly expressing my support for Matt’s appointment to the coaching position, a letter of recommendation is not my only reason for writing.

Should Matt not be named Head Wrestling Coach, I know him well enough to know he will survive.

My only concern is that I want him to survive here and not the next school district up the road.

I want Matt, his wife, Libby, and their expected child to remain residents of this community and not somebody else’s.

I want them attending our churches, joining our organizations and carrying the torch for our causes because, quite frankly, we need more people like them.

It’s not easy attracting trained professionals to come to our school district and serve as our children’s teachers, counselors, and coaches.

It’s even more difficult to get them to move here and call Dowagiac their home.

I really don’t know how this thing got to this point.

It’s my understanding that the other applicant is a long-time resident of this community who comes from a respected family.

That may be all well and good.

However, Matt is already on the teaching staff of this district and has been for eight years.

I’ve always supported the idea that when you can fill a coaching vacancy with a qualified teacher from within your school system, you do so.

Coaches need to be visible and available as often as possible to their athletes.

They need to have ownership, not only in the sport they coach, but in the school and the system in which they work.

It’s not always possible, but it’s desirable and, in Matt’s case, it was do-able.

Someone dropped the ball on this one.

Someone forgot that the role of a board member is to act as a visionary for the school system.

To formulate goals, define outcomes and establish parameters which chart the course for the district and then hire a superintendent who can help you navigate that course.

When you try to do more than that and become micro-managers, you are just getting in the way.

Not only in the way of increasing the chances for good teaching and learning, but in the way of our children’s future.

Respectfully,

Max Sala

Dowagiac