Springfield names Angelo coach

Several players had asked the board to keep Dunn as coach.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Some members of the Springfield High School girls varsity softball team likely were upset when they learned the school board has opted to replace their head coach.
The school board, at its monthly meeting earlier this week, withdrew Mike Dunn's name from a list of potential coaches submitted to the board by the administration.
Board members provided no explanation for the move, which was made after a lengthy executive session. The vote to remove Dunn's name from that list was unanimous.
The board also voted unanimously to name Amy Angelo head coach.
For months, several team members and their parents have spoken out in support of Dunn as rumors surfaced he was being forced out of his position.
Last month, Samantha Cavalier, Colleen Platt, Courtney Sheely and Chelsea Quimby, all seniors, told the school board that they supported Dunn and were looking forward to having him coach their team a second year.
They said last year, the first year Dunn served as their coach, was the best year they had ever had as a team. School district officials previously had confirmed that Dunn had reapplied for the softball coaching position.
Dunn, who teaches several high school business courses, continues coaching other sports. He just completed a season of junior varsity volleyball and is also coaching basketball.
The coaching post carries a nonrenewable, one-year contract, and the job is put out for bid each year. Typically, the athletic director and high school principal interview applicants and make final recommendations to the superintendent.
The superintendent may interview the final candidates and make a recommendation to the board as to which candidate to appoint.