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Stop negativity about St. Charles East

Until two months ago, the city of St. Charles had two great high schools. Recently that perception seems to have changed. There has been a torrent of negative publicity surrounding the East athletic department, myself and our high school in general.

I am speaking out today because it is time to counter the attempts by a very small group of individuals to discredit me, our athletic programs and our school.

The East faculty, administration and athletic department are made up of terrific and capable people. The East booster parents work tirelessly to help our athletes, and their efforts have resulted in our having sports facilities which are top in the state.

Our student athletes are talented, productive and excel in the classroom as well as on the playing field. Our athletic department works very well.

The negativity began with the decision not to rehire one of our coaches. Regarding that, here is a direct quote from the findings pages of the subsequent audit done on our athletic department:

“The dissatisfaction with the decision appears to be based on the assumption that the principal and/or athletic director had no good cause for the action. However, after careful review of all aspects of this action, there is no finding to support that allegation, and there is significant evidence to support the dismissal.”

The negativity generated by this very small number of people in the East community has been relentless, and it is now time for me to have my say on the matter.

The timing of my retirement was repeatedly questioned in the press, insinuating some connection between my retiring and the audit/survey. There is not one damaging thing in this very public report that would cause me to retire. It was a family decision and only that.

The final straw in this barrage of negativity was the egregious allegation of mishandling of fundraising. The financial audit has proved those allegations to be totally unfounded.

The climate of negativity has been out of control. It is time to reclaim the good name of myself and East athletics. My family and I deserve better and East High School deserves better.

Jerry Krieg

St. Charles