Denver School District students and parents push to bring back fired track coach

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Coach Abby Fliehler was fired from her job as as high school track coach at the last school board meeting.

The Denver School District won’t say why, but did say she can stay as an art teacher.

In a packed meeting, parents and students in the Denver school district filed a petition to have Coach Fliehler reinstated.

When asked if the public wanted to comment on the petition, almost everyone in the room raised their hands. Every comment was in support of the coach.

Fliehler came to the meeting with her attorney and a union representative where she said she had no complaints filed against her, and she was let go because she’s spoken up against the school.

Josh Decker, a parent at the meeting, said coach Fliehler has had a very positive impact on the district.

”Abby has been an amazing role model and coach for my girls. I feel she’s the best coach currently on the staff at Denver here, both middle school and high school,” Decker said.

Several members of Denver High School’s current and former track team also spoke at the meeting.

Decker’s daughter, a graduated track runner, said the track team doesn’t understand why Fliehler was fired.

”How was this decision made. We all just have a lot of questions right now and the board does not seem to be answering any of them,” said Aubrey Decker.

The School Board took no position tonight on the petition to keep Coach Fliehler on the track team.

A move to table the issue ended with a tie vote, a fifth Board member was not present. Board members gave no reasons for their decision.

However, the issue is not over. After the meeting, parents and students were out in the hallway collecting signatures to put the petition back on next school month’s board meeting.

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