By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CLARYVILLE - Thursday afternoon, the Campbell County High School baseball team defeated Highlands.

Thursday night, seven members of the team went to the Campbell County Board of Education meeting to fight for their coach's job.

An angry and vocal crowd of more than 200 packed the gym at Reiley Elementary School to protest what is viewed by some parents and students as a move by Superintendent Roger Brady to rid Campbell County High School of four coaches - football coach Mike Corson, boys basketball coach Dan Sullivan, baseball coach Geoff Besecker and boys soccer coach James Wilbers.

Also, athletic director Mike Bankemper, one of the most successful wrestling coaches in Kentucky with two state championships in 21 years, is being forced to choose between his dual role as AD and wrestling coach.

In addition to the controversy over the coaches, several parents attended in a show of support for Ann Painter, principal at A.J. Jolly Elementary School. Brady is demoting Painter and some parents believe it is because she opposed his plan to close the rural school at the end of this year, a decision the board overturned in February. Brady has denied that charge. A hearing on her demotion is set for July 8.

Antagonizing the crowd further was a pronouncement by board attorney Garry Edmondson that because the issues dealt with personnel, little could be said publicly by the board or administrators. Most personnel matters are privileged and protected by state law from public discussion or comment from school officials.

That did little to appease a crowd hungry for answers.

"It's just frustrating because people are tired of this board and this administration making decisions without input from students, staff and parents," said sophomore Chris Vaught, who collected nearly 300 names on petitions opposing the district's actions.

It was revealed last week that the coaches, who are employed on one-year contracts, would have to reapply for their positions.

"No one has been pink-slipped," Brady repeatedly said. "But if applications were received and it was a felt that a stronger applicant had applied, then it would be the intent of the school to employ the best qualified applicant."

Brady did say that some "issues" and "concerns" have been raised about the coaching positions, but he refused to elaborate.

But for more than two hours, speakers supported the coaches and Painter while berating Brady and the board.

Senior Kirk Laytart, one of several baseball team members who attended still dressed in their purple and white Camel uniforms, told Brady it is the players who should decide if the coaches stay or go.

"We pay your salaries with our tax money," Laytart said. "We should be making these kind of decisions."

Laytart rebuked Brady for not attending more athletic events and was gaveled into silence when he began to poll the many student athletes in the crowd about whether they want to keep their coach.

Gary Combs, an A.J. Jolly parent, used the meeting to announce his intention to run for school board.

Marie Prickett, who is involved with a parents organization that supports the football program, said Corson spends money out of his own pocket for shoes and other items for underprivileged players.

Kevin Griffith, a 1984 graduate of Campbell County High School, wrestled for Bankemper.

"You can look for a better wrestling coach," he said, "but you won't find one in the entire state of Kentucky."

And Greg Rose of Alexandria told Brady that it was appropriate that earlier in the meeting a staff member was congratulated for receiving an archaeology degree "because you are a fossil."

Brady has said all school personnel with extracurricular contracts and not just athletic coaches - a total of about 70 positions - are being told to reapply for their positions as the administration re-evaluates the operation of the school district.

Several students and parents picketed before the meeting, toting signs that read "Do What's Best For Kids," "Keep Painter Fire Brady" and "Keep Sullivan Fire Brady."

Other than Bankemper, none of the coaches was in attendance. Sullivan, who two years ago led Campbell County to its first appearance in the Sweet 16 state basketball tournament in 41 years, has already said he has no intention of reapplying for his job.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com