In follow-up to its action of last month to not renew the yearly contract of Scott Hendricks, now former head coach of Rebels varsity boys’ basketball, the Moose Lake School board on August 24 approved a prepared letter to Hendricks stating the reasons for non-renewal. Following a motion from Pete Steen with a second from Jamie Jungers, the board unanimously approved the letter.

“It’s an official board action,” said Superintendent Tim Caroline.

While the board held private the contents of the letter, on advice from the board’s attorney, relevant issues may surface at next month’s September 21 meeting. Since receiving the board’s letter, Hendricks has requested to publicly address the reasons for his dismissal. “At this point in time, he’s asking for the meeting to be open,” Caroline said.

On learning of his non-renewal status last month, Hendricks requested the reasons he was being dismissed by Moose Lake, the governing board that oversees the basketball portion of the Rebels sports liaison with the Willow River School district.

Proceedings to remove Hendricks as head coach, a post he held for five years, began in June of this year, when the Moose Lake board cited “personnel issues” and Minnesota Statute 122A.58, regarding a coach’s termination of duties, as reasons for dismissal. In July the board discovered that its purpose to dismiss Hendricks would be better and more accurately served by using Minnesota Statute 122A.33, regarding notice of non-renewal of a coach’s annual contract. Using the later statute gives Hendricks the option to reapply for the job.

The board intends to post for a head coach of varsity boys’ basketball. At last month’s meeting chairperson Julie Peterson asserted, “It is our intent to hire the best qualified candidate.”

According to Caroline, the board’s decision to dismiss Hendricks has raised a flurry of opposition from supporters of the coach. “He’s done a lot for the basketball program,” said fans at last month’s meeting. Although Hendricks joined the Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels program in 2003, he has been coaching both girls and boys teams for over 30 years.

Radio system for buses

The board approved for the purchase of a radio system between the school and the buses. The $3,100 purchase from Pine Lake Communications of Finlayson calls for installation of a repeater system at the school site, antenna, a control station in the elementary office, and reprogramming of bus radios.

Caroline noted that the system is expected to cover most of the district and will “alleviate a lot of stress” for parents concerned about child safety on the bus. “It’s a great deal,” said Steen.

Paul Staab, designer of the area’s website, Moose Town Crier, gave a brief presentation on the offerings of the relatively new site -- moosetowncrier.com. Unlike its newspaper counterpart, the Moose Town Crier offers stories in short video clip fashion narrated by Staab, who is also the site’s photographer and videographer. Staab offers his site to area schools for use in touting future happenings or accomplishments. “If something is newsworthy or there is something you think belongs on the website, let me know,” he said.