For some community members, the McKinley coach controversy is over. For others, it remains unresolved.
The Canton City Schools Board of Education met last Monday for the first time, since they voted to not renew McKinley football coach Ron Johnson, which led to some heated comments from community members.
People on both sides of the argument—for and against Johnson’s nonrenewal—spoke at the meeting, although the crowd seemed to be largely in agreement with the Board’s decision.
Among those who spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting was Edie Foster, mother of McKinley quarterback Tyler Foster. She voiced her agreement with the nonrenewal.
“Ron Johnson is not the saint some people want to make him out to be,” Foster said at the meeting. She brought up issues she had with Johnson the previous year.
But not everyone in attendance agreed with the Board’s decision. Christopher Daniels, a football player at McKinley, spoke on Johnson’s behalf.
“People say he didn’t help the community much,” said Daniels. “But he helped set up book readings for children at the elementary schools. We went to fire stations and filled bags of food for food drives.”
Also in attendance, but unable to speak at the meeting since he didn’t sign up for the public speaking portion, was McKinley football player Austin Shaheen.
In an interview after the meeting, he said he doesn’t feel the students’ opinions are being valued as much as they should be.
“One of the members said she wants to do what’s best for the children,” said Shaheen. “But we feel that our opinions aren’t being valued, as much as they should be.”
While the coaching controversy was the backdrop for the discussions, one of the most talked about issues was racism and the division in the community.
One of the speakers, Bill Daugherty, said that he is tired of hearing racist comments about Board members who voted against Johnson.
“He didn’t get fired. His contract did not get renewed,” said Daugherty. “Grow up people. Grow up.”
Community activist Ray Strain also spoke, urging those in attendance to discourage racist comments being made by anyone they know.
The Board made no comment at the meeting regarding Johnson’s nonrenewal. The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at Belden Elementary School.
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