Kaneland athletic director to coach girls softball

Kaneland High School Athletic Director Peter Goff will step in as head coach of the girls softball team this spring, despite one school board member's concerns doing so will prevent Goff from devoting full attention to his main responsibilities.

"I have some serious concerns he has duties that are going to be ignored," said board member Tony Valente. He also said he had a concern about Goff being paid a stipend for the work on top of his salary as athletic director.

Pedro Rivas also voted against the measure but declined to explain his vote.

Goff will be paid a stipend of $7,896 for the extra work.

Goff replaces Brian Willis, who was removed from the position in the fall. Willis remains with the district as a teacher.

District officials are also searching for people to serve as assistant coaches. The previous assistants resigned.

Valente said having an athletic director also serving as a head coach "is not general practice for a comprehensive high school."

However, board President Cheryl Krauspe, who was an educator at Hinsdale South High School, said she worked with two athletic directors who also coached sports.

"I appreciate the athletic director stepping up in this very difficult circumstance when we would otherwise go without a softball season for our young women."

Goff was hired July 1, 2014. He is paid $85,000. Before that, he was dean of students for two years at Sycamore High School, and before that he was a history teacher and basketball coach in Bloomington.

In September, the board gave no reason for removing Willis from the position. According to a report in the Beacon-News, Willis said he believed he had been the target of an investigation brought by a parent who was not satisfied with the amount of time their child was allowed to play.