Paso Robles school audit costs football, swim coaches their jobs — but they could be back
Paso Robles High School’s football and swimming coaches are out of their jobs after an audit revealed the district did not adhere to proper hiring processes.
The school district on Wednesday announced head football coach J.R. Reynolds’ and head swimming coach Michael Sauret’s jobs will immediately be advertised to teachers internally, according to a news release from Deputy Superintendent Jen Gaviola.
This decision was made following a human resources audit analyzing the district’s coaching position hiring processes during the past four years.
The audit showed the district did not follow state and school board policies when Reynolds and Sauret were hired. The polices are related to stipended positions and the process through which teachers are given hiring preference for coaching positions, Gaviola wrote.
“This decision is in no way a reflection of the coaching performance of either coach,” she wrote. “We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of both coaches and their focus on our student-athletes. We are very sorry for the disruption this may cause our athletic programs and the individuals affected by this audit finding.”
All qualified district teachers are encouraged to apply for the positions. The jobs will be opened to external applicants if no qualified teacher candidates apply.
Gaviola told The Tribune the audit was conducted as part of a district effort to promote transparency following former Superintendent Chris Williams’ sudden resignation last year amid a financial crisis and a $3 million budget shortfall.
The school board in October heeded community calls for a deeper look into financial problems and alleged fraud by allocating $50,000 for an accounting firm to undertake an independent investigation.
Paso Robles football and swimming programs
Sauret would have kicked off his third season as head of the high school’s swimming program in spring 2020, Gaviola said. He is currently a district teacher but did not hold that position when he was hired as a coach.
Reynolds, who just completed his third season as football coach, was also not a teacher when he was hired. He currently holds a classified substitute teaching position, Gaviola said. Only certificated employees are eligible to receive preference for coaching positions, she said.
The high school’s football program has had three coaches in about four years after longtime coach Rich Schimke was removed from his position in November 2016 following an incident in which he poured syrup into a player’s belly button during a locker room celebration.
The district and new coach Larry Grant “mutually agreed to part ways” early in the 2017 season amid questions regarding CIF-Southern Section transfer paperwork for two players who moved to Paso Robles to join the team and live with him.
Reynolds was named interim head coach after Grant’s departure and officially took over the job in December 2017.
Gaviola said it’s important for the district to follow the correct policies and give teachers preference. But she acknowledged Reynolds and Sauret losing their jobs is a “bummer of a situation.”
“It’s a procedure-based decision,” Gaviola said. “Nothing to do with the individuals.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 6:09 PM.
