10TV.com (Central Ohio)
JOHNSTOWN, Ohio — Emotions ran high at times during a school board meeting on Monday night to decide the job future of an embattled high school football coach and athletic director.
By the time the meeting ended, members of the Johnstown-Monroe Board of Education voted 3-2 to offer a supplemental coaching contract to William “Mike” Carter, 10TV’s Tanisha Mallett reported.
Questions about Carter’s future had been in limbo since December, when district officials announced that his contract would not be renewed. Members of the community rallied around Carter, claiming the district did not elaborate on why the coach would not be brought back.On Monday night, board members said they voted not to renew Carter’s contract because they created a new position that combined the responsibilities of the athletic director and dean of students. That, they said, was too much for Carter to handle, along with his coaching responsibilities.
Several people in the large crowd that turned out for Monday’s meeting did not accept the explanation, including Carter’s wife, who broke down in tears while discussing the sacrifices her family had made for the district.
Others, including students and parents, were vocal in their support of Carter, setting off several exchanges between board members and the audience.
At one point during the meeting, a member of the board offered up a motion to offer Carter a supplemental contract as just the football coach. That prompted board member Terry Holter to drop another bombshell, Mallett reported.
“On a certain day, Mike went somewhere and there was an OMVI issue,” Holter said.
That set off another heated exchange between the crowd and the board of education, and eventually Carter himself.
“I was proven not guilty by a judge in Franklin County court,” he said. “With all due respect, give me respect.”
10TV examined court records on Monday and could not find information on the case.
The supplemental contract offered to Carter ensures he will be the football coach this fall.
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