Mendon, Illinois The public was informed Wednesday night that both high school cheering coaches had quit, just a few days into the new school year.
During their meeting, the school board approved the selection of a new coach to succeed them and accepted both resignations.
Tiffany McLaughlin, a former football cheerleading coach and declared whistleblower, told Muddy River News that she felt obliged to speak during public comment to bring awareness despite her resignation. She claimed that among other things, some of the student athletes confided in her that they felt violated by partiality and emotionally alone.
She added that after a full day of cheerleading activity, she witnessed at least one instance where the cheerleaders were physically exhausted.
She addressed the crowded gathering, “I requested the head’s support and a strategy to safeguard our student athletes.” Rather, I was informed via email that this issue has no bearing on your capacity to fulfill your duties as a coach. Tell us if you think it’s affecting your capacity to carry out your responsibilities. If not, you’re supposed to keep practicing.
Although she admitted that an internal investigation was underway, she asserted during the meeting that parents were not kept informed and that not all parties involved were interviewed. Additionally, one board member informed her that they were happy she resigned after she did.
When Facebook commentators accused her of calling other pupils bullies, the situation only grew worse.
McLaughlin said that she never referred to bullying or made remarks about students. However, a record of her exact statements from a previous meeting was never posted since the district is moving to a new website.
Meeting minutes would eventually be published, according to board president Michael Mealiff, who stated that they were striving to catch up.
McLaughlin stated that rather than attempting to resolve the situation within the cheer squad on her own, she felt that school families had to be informed of the lack of support she received for according to school protocol by approaching district authorities.
To support her claims, McLaughlin also provided MRN with a complaint she submitted to the United States All Star Federation, a cheering organization.
Superintendent Scott Riddle said he was constrained in what he could say because this impacted personnel concerns.
I am unable to discuss that. I can confirm that it was addressed as needed.
Additionally, he stated that he was unable to comment on an ongoing inquiry.
“You always consider why it happened whenever we have a resignation,” Riddle said. I believe that was influenced by mitigating circumstances. Thankfully, though, someone stepped up to support us at this point, allowing our girls to finish their season.
The Democratic Governor, JB Pritzker, recently passed a law requiring yearly mental health screenings for students in grades three through twelve, making Illinois the first state to do so. Riddle expressed his worries about this law in his report to the board. Beginning with the 2027–2028 academic year, the screenings will be available at least once annually.
One reason I like the requirement is that I understand its underlying philosophy. Indeed, we wish to attend to the demands of our student body. However, I’m just apprehensive about relinquishing the parental rights that come with this kind of screening.
Riddle claimed to have spoken with Mary Miller, a Republican representative from Quincy. She voiced similar concerns and is currently advocating for an opt-in measure to try to preserve parental rights.
I don’t refer to it as getting involved in politics. I refer to it as campaigning for our children. Local control is what I’m all about. Miller is in the same situation. I believe that our town and people are affected by this issue. local authority. Here, parental rights are highly valued.
When he called for a moment of silence following the boating incident that night that claimed the life of Parker James David Warning, 25, of Mendon, Riddle presided over a solemn opening to the evening’s meeting. The district maintains a close relationship with his surviving family.
The crowd responded favorably when the board was informed that the district is improving its surveillance video system, particularly by repairing the camera at the front door of the middle school.
Attendees of the gathering also applauded Matt Hermsmeier ASCO, the new school resource officer.
During a trip to Washington, D.C., teacher Jennifer Knox highlighted all the praise district kids earned for their leadership, curiosity, and respect.
One of those kids, 13-year-old Meredith Shaffer, also expressed gratitude to instructor Holly Klusmeyer for obtaining a grant from the Tracy Family Foundation that enabled students to get a $250 compensation for their volunteer effort and grades.
On September 17 at 5:45 p.m., the board will have a public budget hearing in the UHS band room.
