Emotions took over during a hearing for a former Falls High School coach Tuesday night, according to an official.
At the conclusion of a hearing for Bill Mason, boys and girls golf coach, the Falls School Board tabled action until it meets in August.
“It was getting emotional,” Superintendent Nordy Nelson told The Journal Wednesday. “I mentioned to (everybody) that they need to take some time to think about this decision.”
Mason’s hearing falls on the heels of last month’s decision by the board to suspend Mason, with pay, from the golf coach position based on a recommendation from Nelson.
According to Nelson, that recommendation to suspend Mason followed a May 13 incident involving Mason and five of the boys on the golf team.
“They stopped at an A&W (restaurant) and a stranger asked for a ride in the (school) van,” Nelson said. “After a few requests, Bill relented and allowed him to get in the van.”
Mason then dropped off the passenger off at the White Oak Casino in Deer River, according to Nelson.
The superintendent said the incident was brought to his attention May 14 by a parent of one of the boys in the van. He explained he then contacted Mason who, Nelson said, “verified what had happened. He didn’t deny anything.”
“I discussed with him the procedure I’d have to follow based on the school district’s policy that was put in place in 1999,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the school district’s policy says that all school personnel are required to maintain a setting of safety for the students. Certain scenarios that violate that policy could be minor to more extreme.
“In this case,” Nelson said. “The kids and coach were in a van that once it gets shifted into gear, all the doors lock. Now they’re captive...the kids possibly could have really been in danger. That is more of an extreme scenario in the possibilities.”
The hearing, which was closed at Mason’s request, was then opened when Mason asked the board to open the hearing to the public.
About five people spoke in favor of reinstating Mason as the coach for the next school year during the hearing, at which Journal staff were not present because the hearing began as a closed session, which prohibits public attendance.
“They were very supportive of Bill,” Nelson said. “They said that his demeanor was that he wanted to be a nice person...basically he made a bad decision, but he’s a good person.”
On the other hand, Nelson said two parents said the children could have been in real danger. “Which they could have,” Nelson added.
The superintendent continued that board members exchanged comments about setting policies, should similar incidents occur in the future.
“The decision really was common sense,” Nelson said. “You don’t pick someone up you don’t know when you’re in charge of students...you need to follow safety procedures for students.”
