October 18, 2013 at 4:52 p.m.
School board to discuss controversy over non-renewal of high school wrestling volunteer
School board to discuss controversy over non-renewal of high school wrestling volunteer
The board discussed the list of proposed volunteer candidates in closed session. When the panel adjourned for the private discussion, Handrick's name was on the list. When the group returned to open session, his name had been removed.
The final list of volunteers was approved by board president Ron Counter and board members Mary Peterson, Judy Conlin, David Holperin, Jim Winkler and Dennis O'Brien. Ray Burgan, Merlin Van Buren, and Mike Roberts were not present.
The following day Handrick was informed the board did not want him to continue volunteering.
"I got an email (on Sept. 17) from the head (wrestling) coach (Paul Ellenbecker)," Handrick said. "He forwarded an email to me from the administrative assistant (Jane Walkowski) at the school, saying that I was not approved (as a volunteer coach)."
Having served as a volunteer for the Rhinelander wrestling team for the past two years, and for 16 years before that at Lakeland Union High School, Handrick said he was shocked he would not be returning for the upcoming season.
He decided to ask Assistant Superintendent Dave Wall for an explanation.
"I sent an email to Dave Wall (on Sept. 18) and said I understand I was not approved and I'm puzzled as to why. (I asked) if this is true, whose decision was this and how did they arrive at the decision. He told me it was a school board decision," Handrick said.
Handrick also wanted to know if O'Brien played a role in the proceedings.
O'Brien and Handrick have a history dating back to July 2011 when they were involved in a pushing match at a political rally in Minocqua. Both were cited for disorderly conduct, an ordinance violation. O'Brien was found guilty following a court trial in December 2011 and ordered to pay a fine. Handrick accepted a deferred prosecution agreement and the charge was eventually dismissed.
"Back in 2011, in Minocqua, every Friday a bunch of protesters would set up on the south end of the Minocqua island, at the triangle where the traffic splits north and south, with their signs to recall (Governor Scott) Walker and that. I went down there one day and had a sign that said 'We Support Scott Walker' and I put my sign up and when I put my sign up, that's when O'Brien pushed me and we got into a little pushing match and blah, blah, blah," Handrick explained. "We were both cited for disorderly conduct and he was eventually found guilty and the charges against me were dismissed. In the meantime, he got elected to the school board (in April 2013), so it sounds like he's brought politics into this decision. So I asked (Wall) did Dennis O'Brien take part in a closed door discussion, did Dennis O'Brien vote on the issue and what was the vote? (Wall) forwarded that email to the new superintendent, Kelli Jacobi, and I got an email from Kelli that said closed session meetings are confidential."
Handrick said he has heard no complaints about his performance from any coach, student, or parent, thus he's convinced his personal history with O'Brien is the reason he won't be coaching this year.
"That's the only thing I can gather from it because there's been no incidents with me as a volunteer coach for two years. No problems with kids or parents - nothing but praise - and then all of a sudden this happens," he said. "I believe that he is the reason. I haven't been able to get that out of anybody, nobody will say anything."
Counter, the board president, would not comment on the discussion that took place during the closed session but did outline the procedure for the approval of volunteers. He also said the board plans to discuss the Handrick matter again this Monday.
"It's closed session, but the board is taking another look at it (Monday)," he said. "In general, and this may or may not have happened with (Handrick), but it will come in closed session if there's any concerns. For instance criminal record, personal background, that sort of stuff. This is in general, it may not apply to (Handrick), but administration will take a look at it and do background checks on everybody and the decision is made from there. Usually, if (someone is) removed from the list, it probably has something to do with that. (Handrick's case) is probably going to be reconsidered at this next meeting."
According to Activities Director Brian Paulson it is the district's policy to allow volunteer candidates who are not approved by the board to address the panel during a subsequent board meeting but only in closed session.
Handrick said he would like Monday's discussion to be open to the public.
"I requested to Kelli Jacobi to appear in front of the school board, which I'm going to do on Monday. It will be in closed session. I told her I would rather have it in open session, I wanted this discussed out in the open but she said it would be in closed," he said.
Reached for comment, O'Brien admitted he raised an objection to Handrick continuing as a volunteer coach.
"I respect the idea that he wants to volunteer, I just don't think he's the kind of fellow that should be dealing with kids," he said. "It's part of the public record, and I'm not really that interested in going over it, but Mr. Handrick's been involved in several events. He's been convicted of crimes in the past."
"My personal involvement with him (during the July 2011 pushing incident) would indicate he doesn't belong dealing with children," he added.
According to online circuit court records, Handrick was convicted of felony voter fraud in 1991 and sentenced to probation and community service. In 1998 he accepted a deferred prosecution agreement on a misdemeanor charge of battery. That charge was dismissed after he completed the terms of the agreement. Then there was the 2011 incident with O'Brien.
"He was convicted of voter fraud in the past (and) the fact of the matter is I've had some interaction with Mr. Handrick which I found to be questionable on the way he does things and when his name appeared I raised these objections," O'Brien said. "If you look at his record, it's not a short record. The incident that he and I were involved in, where I was found guilty and paid my fine, the only thing that I did was challenge him after he had knocked a 70-year-old woman onto the ground. They were tussling over who was going to put a sign in front of whom. When he got angry, he swung his arm and hit her with the upper portion of his arm and literally knocked her onto the ground. At that moment I approached him (and) there were some harsh words spoken, he pushed me, I pushed him back."
O'Brien said he felt obligated to voice his concerns but claims he did not pressure any of his fellow board members to reject Handrick as a volunteer.
"I simply raised an objection and I explained my objection. I certainly didn't, in any way, ask for support from any of the other members of the board. They voted however they voted," he added. "I respect people who volunteer but I had reservations about (Handrick). I just don't believe he's the type of person that should be doing it."
A personal history, such as the one O'Brien and Handrick share, might lead an elected official to abstain from a vote but O'Brien said he chose to participate in the discussion because he believed he had pertinent information to share with his fellow board members.
"I did not abstain. My involvement with him is what I know to be true. I'm not making it up, I'm not operating out of vindictiveness or pettiness, I know what occurred. I saw it and that's why I objected," he said.
Handrick says the district was aware of his history when he was first hired two years ago.
"I was questioned at length by Dave Wall about my criminal history a couple years ago ... when I was first hired as a volunteer," he wrote in an email to the River News. "Dave (Wall) had some concerns but obviously everything was OK as they allowed me to be a volunteer for the last two years."
"My criminal history is over 20 years old and since then I have been volunteer coach for 16 to 18 years with no problems," he added.
The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Superior Diesel Advanced Learning Center at Rhinelander High School. The closed session portion of the meeting is expected to begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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