Van Lierop not done with district

The boys basketball coaching situation at Ferris High School took another turn with the announcement Wednesday that junior varsity coach Barry Olson would replace Don Van Lierop to head the program, but the former coach’s saga isn’t over yet.

“I’m kind of surprised they announced it already,” said Olson. “I wasn’t sure whether they’d wait until they knew what outcome they had.”

Olson was referring to the ongoing effort by Van Lierop to regain his coaching position after being informed in May by Spokane Public Schools he would no longer be Ferris’ coach. He has since retained an attorney.

“I didn’t think I’d be in the boat I’m in,” Van Lierop said in a recent phone interview. “I feel basically I did things correctly.”

Thus, the question still unanswered is, how did he get into it?

“It’s management prerogative,” said Barb Wright, assistant superintendent Human Resources for the district. “We have the right to determine if a supplemental position will be offered.”

There was no wrongdoing, she said, adding that, by wins and losses, Van Lierop was a success. But she also said she understood that his demeanor and style apparently left him at cross purposes at a former coaching stay at Eisenhower in Yakima.

“We know that no matter what sport, there will be parental complaints that are normal and routine,” she said.

Van Lierop was emphatic in saying he did nothing wrong and has said he was not taken to task by administration about his coaching at Ferris. He said the situation at Eisenhower was over one player’s game time.

“I’m not Dean Smith. I’m not saying I’m perfect and won’t say I wouldn’t change things,” Van Lierop said. “I do the best I can do and play who I think will play. No matter what anybody says, it boils down to playing time. Obviously, by the record, I’ve picked the right kids.”

Following a public records request, a series of letters received from Spokane Public Schools by The Spokesman-Review outlined the circumstances of Van Lierop’s situation. All signed letters were on the school district’s Human Resources department stationery.

Van Lierop was informed in a letter dated May 14 and signed by then-Ferris principal Jon Bentz that, “you will not be requested to continue in the same coaching position for the next season and that, instead, the Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach position will be posted for the next year.”

Supplemental/extracurricular activity contracts are awarded for the current school year only.

On June 9, Van Lierop received a second letter answering his query that concerned “rumors and innuendo” about him following the decision.

The letter, signed by Bentz and Wright, noted “despite what you may have heard, there has been no investigation into any alleged misconduct or complaint of misconduct against you. Finally there has been no complaint of misconduct by a parent or anyone else that led the School District to open your position or to believe that there was any need to conduct an investigation into any wrongdoing by you. As has been explained to you previously, the decision was made to post the coaching position due solely to a desire to take the boys basketball program at Ferris High School in a different direction.”

Van Lierop filed two grievances against the district in a signed letter dated June 18. His first grievance asserted a violation of Section 4 of the supplemental contract regarding progressive discipline. Section 4 outlines due process steps to be taken prior to terminating a coach.

In his letter, Van Lierop wrote that the District’s non-renewal constituted “punishment for undisclosed allegations by certain persons concerning my performance and conduct,” and that it was done so in “bad faith, was arbitrary and capricious.”

Supporters of Van Lierop told The Spokesman-Review in May they had met with school district officials and were told an earlier parental meeting precipitated the decision for change.

The second grievance contended he was terminated prior to the Aug. 31 end of the contract and demanded he be allowed to fulfill traditional duties of coaching in the summer.

In a letter on Human Resources stationary on June 22, again signed by Bentz, both grievances were denied.

“The coaching contract did not include running summer basketball camp or other summer activities,” the letter stated. “The grievant’s assignment as summer camp director is separate. That assignment will continue and will be paid upon submittal of the paperwork as has been done in the past for all district summer camps.”

Van Lierop resubmitted his grievances on June 24 and they were again denied. He did conduct summer coaching business as usual, and Ferris, at the beginning of this week, had compiled a 48-2 record, including 47 straight wins at one point, during summer league and tournament play.

Van Lierop’s attorney, Kelly Allen, said Van Lierop’s next recourse is for the executive board of the union to make a decision regarding arbitration of the grievance.

Allen said he has stacks of letters from all manner of people offering testimony for Van Lierop.

“The support for the guy is absolutely overwhelming, including most of the parents on the current team,” said Allen. “The Ferris administration fully supported Don. It’s remarkable they (the district) could do this.”

New coach Olson said that in the three years he’s worked with Van Lierop, “I haven’t been at his side the whole time, but I can say I have great respect for the job he’s done.”

Van Lierop said that he still wants to continue coaching basketball.

Ferris was 14-10 last season, shared the division lead in the Greater Spokane League, won District 8 championship and qualified for regionals.

His overall record after three years as head coach was 58-21, including a second-place state finish and two regional academic awards.

“If I was not at a special school — and Ferris is a special place — I would consider not coaching,” he said. “I value the tradition. It’s not just any school for me.”