It didn’t take long for football fans and critics around the state to weigh in on the DeSoto ISD Board’s decision to take no action on football coach Todd Peterman’s contract.
Peterman guided the Eagles to a 16-0 record and the Class 6A Division II state championship in 2016, which was the coach’s second season.
Once the board took no action on Peterman’s contract extension, current players and alumni spoke up in support of Peterman. On Friday, DeSoto ISD Superintendent Dr. David C. Harris penned a letter to the public.
There has been a great deal of discussion related to the meeting of the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees on Monday, April 24, 2017, and the Board’s decision to take no action on personnel
I support the Board’s decision to delay action on personnel contracts, and I support the Board in its effort to make sound personnel decisions based on available information. Our Trustees are continually faced with making tough decisions and Monday night was no exception.
While most of the community discussion has been centered on one individual, the Board was tasked with considering all personnel contracts.
Delaying contract action has allowed DeSoto ISD Administration the opportunity to address questions and concerns that have come to the district’s attention regarding some personnel related matters. Since Monday night, Administration has engaged in a review of those questions and concerns, and they have been resolved.
School boards must maintain privacy on personnel matters and rules of closed sessions as required by law. Harris said he anticipates the contract recommendations to be back on the May 8 agenda for further consideration by the Board of Trustees.
Peterman went 6-6 in his first season, with five regular-season losses to sheer powerhouses (Arlington Martin, IMG Academy (Fla.), Cibolo Steele, Mansfield and Cedar Hill). The playoff loss was to Allen, 41-40, in the Area Round.
Last year he guided the Eagles to their first-ever state championship in an impressive run that ended with a 38-29 win over Cibolo Steele. DeSoto had 28 players sign to play in college (8 in NCAA FBS), amassing $3.6 million in scholarships. Even more impressive was the fact that 18 Eagles players were named academic all-state.
Since the statement was released on Friday, WFAA has learned that the argument against Peterman stems from a handwritten note sent to the UIL that alleges recruitment-based violations. Peterson has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “comical and untrue”.
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