Athletic Director-Parent Dispute May Have Led To Vandalism

March 8, 2012 /
WZZM13.com (Mich.), Alex Shabad

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/203367/14/School-vandalism-may-be-tied-to-employee-dispute?odyssey=tab|topnews|bc|large

SPRING LAKE, Mich. (WZZM) – An argument between a parent and the athletic director at a Lakeshore school might be linked to vandalism.

Investigators say the incidents happened after the athletic director at Spring Lake High School was given a written reprimand for the way he talked to a parent from an opposing team.

Someone threw a brick through a window at the school district’s administrative office overnight Tuesday.  The same night, black paint was used to mark the sidewalk at Spring Lake High School.

“I’m concerned about the message this sends to our students,” says Spring Lake School Board President Dina Horne.

The two incidents happened just hours after the Spring Lake School Board approved disciplinary action against Athletic Director Cavin Morhardt.

“I can only assume it was a disagreement with what the school board voted on Tuesday night,” says Horne.

During a verbal exchange at a home basketball game in January, Morhardt told a visiting parent, “I’m not going to kiss your butt.”

“The written reprimand was about his word choice,” says Horne.

The person responsible for throwing a brick at the window also left a note.  According to school officials, the note told the Superintendent he was wrong and it also made further threats.

The Superintendent declined to respond on camera.

Melissa Foreman is a parent at the school and also had Morhardt as a teacher when she was younger.

“I think he’s a great guy been and he’s been there a long time.  I think its been blown out of proportion,” says Foreman.

The school district and board are trying to move past the incident.

“I feel this was an isolated incident with an angry parent,” says Horne.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s department is questioning several people, but has yet to name a suspect.


Leave a Reply