Butler releases girls basketball coach
BUTLER TWP — Acting on the recommendation of district administrators, the Butler School Board Monday night released Joe Lewandowski from his position as girls varsity basketball coach.
A motion to open the girls varsity coach position passed by a vote of six to three with board members John Conrad, Neil Convery and Bill Halle voting against.
Lewandowski, the coach of the team for two seasons, was investigated by Athletic Director Bill Mylan, Intermediate High School Principal Stephen Dobransky and Senior High School Principal John Wyllie. The matter was also discussed in a school board executive session in April.
Lewandowski is a history teacher at the Intermediate High School and previously coached Butler's boys varsity basketball team for seven seasons.
School board members and administrators declined to comment or give details about what specific accusations were made against Lewandowski.
Suzie Bradrick said she believes the district's administrators did their job and found just cause in this case.
“I do believe our administrators got to the truth of the matter,” she said.
Bill Halle was more critical of the recommendation. He said that he believed some of the accusations to be founded, while others were not corroborated by the investigation.
“Butler is really becoming known for, if you want to eliminate a coach, just fill a room full of angry parents and we're going to change the coach,” Halle said.
There was no public comment given about the coaching situation Monday, though more than 20 people spoke in favor of the coach to the board last week.
The district will make a job posting with the intention of hiring a new varsity coach as soon as possible. Basketball is a winter sport, but the team has open gym time during the spring.
Lewandowski did not respond to attempts to reach him for comment about the situation.
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