Aaron Thomas was approved as the Interim Head Football Coach at a special meeting held by the Aplington-Parkersburg School Board Friday.
At the board meeting on May 20, they voted 3-2 against the recommended hire of Thomas. Superintendent Travis Fleshner says that if a member of the prevailing side of the vote learns new information on an action item that would have changed their vote, it can be submitted to the board president for reconsideration.
Fleshner explained to the board that while there was a verbal understanding of the interim status among administration and that it was a point of discussion at the May 20 meeting, there may have been confusion because the interim terminology was not originally listed in the contract.
“Maybe it’s the fact that everybody around it knew it was interim, and we talked about interim at the board table,” Fleshner said. “In fairness, that’s probably the best answer I can give with it. It probably should’ve stated ‘as interim.’ We kind of all knew it was interim, but it probably should’ve been listed on the contract. And that’s the way it’s linked in the agenda on your board approval form.”
After discussion on Thomas’ ability to handle the workload of his duties as high school principal, head football coach and head boys basketball coach, the board approved the hire on a 4-1 vote.
Fleshner also noted that while all coaching contracts are effective for one year, they felt that adding the interim terminology would provide public visibility that the administration is still seeking a long-term candidate.
