FRENCH LICK — Following nearly two hours of emotional testimony from students, parents, and community members, the Springs Valley School Board voted 4-3 on Monday, Oct. 19, to terminate the coaching contract of head football coach Jason Lowe over failure to report a team bullying incident.
Superintendent Trevor Apple recommended the immediate termination of Lowe’s coaching duties due to violations of district anti-harassment and bullying policies. The board’s action specifically applies to Lowe’s coaching contract and does not affect his teaching status.
According to district leadership, the prompt reporting policies exist to safeguard student safety above all else.
“The reporting rule exists so that a student who is harmed never depends on one adult’s judgment about whether his parents should know,” Superintendent Apple told the board.
The disciplinary action stems from an incident in which three football players bullied a teammate. Superintendent Apple stated that Coach Lowe became aware of the incident through the affected student but failed to notify school administrators or the student’s parents, as required by school corporation rules. Under district policy, staff members are mandated to report any allegations of bullying to administration by the end of the next school day. Failure to do so carries penalties up to immediate discharge.
The school district ultimately learned of the bullying two weeks later through an anonymous report. Administrators acted the same day, disciplining the three involved students, contacting their families, and notifying Child Protective Services (CPS). The corporation’s legal counsel subsequently reviewed the district’s actions and confirmed that administration fulfilled all statutory and policy obligations once informed.
During the public comment period, the student who reported the bullying addressed the school board directly, describing feeling let down after initially confiding in his coach.
“I do not think Coach Lowe is a bad person,” the student said. “I think he’s a great man and he loves coaching football. I just think he didn’t do the right thing and he said the wrong thing.”
The student shared that since the disciplinary actions were handed down, he has faced retaliation, exclusion, and threats from peers who blamed him for the coach’s suspension and the players’ discipline.
“I’m asking people to stop blaming me,” he stated. “I told the truth when I was asked what happened. Since then, my life has been turned upside down.”
The victim’s mother also voiced frustration over the district’s response, stating that her son had experienced ongoing bullying and arguing that the three-day out-of-school suspensions and one-game football bans handed down to the perpetrators were insufficient under the athletic handbook. She added that while Lowe’s handling warranted corrective action, broader responsibility rested on administration.
One of the three disciplined students delivered an apology during the hearing on behalf of himself and his teammates to the victim, his family, and the community, taking responsibility for their actions.
Coach Lowe and Supporters Call for Healing
Addressing the room near the beginning of public comments, Coach Lowe, who was in his 22nd year of teaching and coaching at Springs Valley and his sixth season as head football coach, urged the community to move past conflict.
“Our community needs peace and healing,” Lowe said. “Our community doesn’t need a victory or revenge.”
Dozens of supporters, including players, parents, and family members, urged the board to utilize progressive discipline or a performance improvement plan rather than termination. Lowe’s sister, Jennifer Hill, and wife, Megan, highlighted his decades of service, mentorship, and positive influence on hundreds of local athletes.
Board Division and Final Vote
During board deliberations, members expressed sharp divisions over the penalty:
- One board member argued that Lowe’s failure to report did not constitute gross misconduct under progressive discipline guidelines.
- Another praised Lowe’s legacy with the program and favored retaining him.
- A third stated an obligation to align strictly with legal counsel recommendations regarding liability and policy enforcement.
The motion to terminate Lowe’s coaching contract ultimately passed in a narrow 4-3 vote.
