CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield school board was pressed to fill the vacant head girls’ soccer coach position and to name Thomas Mohney and Leslie Grice as co-head coaches for the program.
However, the board tabled action on both coaching appointments during its pre-board session before calling its regular, voting meeting to order Monday night.
Soccer Boosters President Patrick Powers described himself as “saddened” by the board’s decision to not take any action. “I encourage you to move forward with it,” he said.
“Tom, he eats, drinks and breathes soccer. We need leadership in place; the team makes a year-around commitment.”
Powers realized there were some concerns about Mohney being a district administrator. Mohney is currently the Special Education Supervisor for the Clearfield schools.
However, Powers didn’t believe the prospective co-head coach would have submitted his application if he couldn’t handle the responsibilities of both.
Bob Aleksivich, president of the Clearfield Soccer Asoociation, confronted the school board, while he’s actively coached and currently has a daughter who competes on the girls’ team at the high school.
“As a parent, you want to see what’s best for your children,” he said, “and Leslie and Tom are the best candidates that the Clearfield Area School District has to offer.
“From what I understand, it’s not a debate about qualifications but the management of the team. I think both would provide an excellent opportunity for the girls.”
According to him, the CSA endorses both Mohney and Grice as co-head coaches. He said both have earned trust as district employees, and he asked the board to “trust their trustworthiness.”
In February, a motion to name Mohney the head girls’ soccer coach resulted in a divided vote at four apiece. Board members Dave Glass, Susan Mikesell, Larry Putt and Jennifer Wallace concurred.
However, board members Mary Anne Jackson, Phil Carr, Tim Morgan and Dr. Michael Spencer opposed the motion. Board member Rick Schickling was absent from the meeting.