A football coach that brought the Montgomery Area School District to their winningest season in decades was not fired by the district, despite widespread speculation to the contrary online among community members, Superintendent Daphne Bowers confirmed to the Sun-Gazette Wednesday night.

The uproar began on Jan. 29, when the position of head varsity football coach, held by Cory Tice during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, was opened to applicants interested in the position.

Many commenters on social media questioned the action, accusing the board of not only violating the state’s Sunshine Act, but also holding discussions on, and coming to a decision on Tice’s retention in secret.

The Sunshine Act is a state law that requires agencies to deliberate and take official action in an open, public meeting, which the community must have advance notice of, as well as an opportunity to attend, participate and comment prior to official action being taken.

A right-to-know request was submitted by a district resident on Jan. 30, 2024, requesting the release of verification that a public notice of meetings by committees overseeing the handling of coaching contracts in the month of January was issued within existing prescribed board policy timeframes, as well as agendas and meeting minutes associated from any such meetings.

Because no such document exists, the request was denied on Feb. 2, according to a request denial notice shared with the Sun-Gazette.

“When responding to a request for access, an agency shall not be required to create a record which does not currently exist or to compile, format or organize a record in a manner in which the agency does not currently compile, format or organize the record,” the denial signed by board secretary and right-to-know officer Grant Evangelisti.

The request could not be granted because no such action was taken, according to Bowers.

“We have policy on dealing with personnel issues,” she said in an email to the Sun-Gazette.

“Our board follows its policies and the law strictly and acts in the best interest of our students, always,” Bowers stressed.

“All of our coaches sign yearly contracts. Our current football coach was not fired. He completed his season, and was paid for his service,” Bowers continued.

“The board has no obligation to rehire,” she said.

“All coaches must be voted on by the board for rehire prior to their next season, and sign a new contract,” a template of which was provided to the Sun-Gazette for review, the superintendent said.

“Our board decided to advertise the position of football coach. The reasons for that decision are executive session material only as we do not discuss personnel issues in public,” Bowers’ email stated.

The practice of discussing personnel, legal and student matters in closed to the public executive sessions is not exclusive to the Montgomery Area School District, as that is standard practice among area districts in the handling of such issues.

“There is no cause for action by the board in a public meeting until a person is presented for hire,” the statement from Bowers concluded.