Feb 26, 2014 2 min read

I’m writing you to voice my opinion on the vote to not rehire coach Helen Hilibrand as the girls varsity basketball coach.

The Jefferson-Morgan School Board held a meeting and decided not to rehire her. I disagree as does my daughter, who has played for Ellen Hildebrand since the seventh grade.

My daughter has so much more confidence in herself and what she does now. She has more respect for herself and others. She has not been in trouble at all this year in school, and her grades are better then they have been in a long time.

I have the coach to thank for this. Coach does so much more than just her job. Now I ask you how can someone like this who does so much for our children not be rehired. I will tell you why: Because the board followed the lead of one school board member. They showed this at the meeting after all the girls on the team and parents talked for the coach.

This is just a witch hunt because some parent’s don’t like the fact that their child is not a superstar.  Well, the coach played the players who did what they were told and respected everyone.  Some girls on the team didn’t do that and didn’t play. Helen just did what any other coach in the country would do.

My daughter and I are 100 percent behind her. She has done so much and still has so much she can do for this team. She shows them life’s lessons, just not how to play basketball. She told the players it’s not all about the win, it’s about how you play as a team and how you get there as a team.

In closing, my daughter and I will stand behind the coach. It was wrong what the school board did to her. I think we need all new members on the school board. We need members who will think for themselves and not vote the way someone wants them to vote.

Jesse Hewitt

Clarksville