Forks: Coach layoffs leave high school athletic program reeling

FORKS — High school wrestling coach Aaron Roddis says he’ll stick out his spell of coming unemployment and stick around.

The entire varsity football coaching staff of Forks High School — most notably head coach Andrew Peterson, a former University of Washington and National Football League player — may turn over, however, before the 2002-03 school year.

The planned moves come after Tuesday night’s announcement that Roddis, first-year coach Peterson and two of his three assistants were among nine teachers who will lose their teaching jobs with the Quillayute Valley School District at the end of the school year.

Peterson, who formally submitted his resignation as football coach Tuesday, said he’ll look for a new teaching-and-coaching position elsewhere. So, he said, will assistant coaches and fellow teachers Brian Hollatz and Robbie King. King has said he would like to stay in the area, however.

A third assistant, Todd Fraker, works in the Quillayute district as a long-term substitute teacher and was also informed that his job wouldn’t be available next school year, Peterson said.

The reduction-in-force cuts, made Monday and announced at Tuesday night’s school district board meeting, came as part of a plan to pare $800,000 in expenses from the district’s $10.8 million budget.

By Wednesday, they were the talk of the Forks community.

——————-

The rest of this story appears in the Thursday Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.

More in News

Phyllis Becker of Port Hadlock, foreground, and Wendy Davis of Port Townsend, volunteers with the Jefferson County Trash Task Force, pick up litter along Discovery Road on Sunday during the first trash pickup of the year. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Litter patrol

Phyllis Becker of Port Hadlock, foreground, and Wendy Davis of Port Townsend,… Continue reading

Jefferson County defers oversight role for homelessness grant

OlyCAP will continue to be lead agency for Commerce funding

Members of Trail Life USA, a boys Christian adventure organization, salute the burning retired flags and holiday wreaths from veterans’ graves. This joint flag retirement and wreath burning ceremony took place Saturday at the Bekkevar farm in Blyn. (Emma Maple/Peninsula Daily News)
Flags, veterans’ wreaths retired at ceremony

Boys, girls organizations attend event at farm

One person taken to hospital after three-car collision

Two people were injured following a three-car collision on… Continue reading

Jefferson Conservation District seeking board candidates

The Jefferson County Conservation District is accepting applications for… Continue reading

Closing reception set for ‘Strong People’ exhibit

The Field Hall Gallery will host a closing reception… Continue reading

Kathy Downer takes the oath office for Sequim City Council seat No. 1 on Jan. 8, 2024, in the council chambers. She plans to resign from council this month after three-plus years to spend time with family. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Sequim council member to resign

Downer unseated former mayor in 2023 election

If a construction bond is approved, Sequim High School’s open campus could be enclosed to increase safety and update the older facility, Sequim School District staff said. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Ballots for Sequim schools’ bond, levy measures to be mailed Jan. 22

Helen Haller Elementary would be replaced, if successful

Stakeholders and community leaders stand together for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County's Lyon's Landing property in Carlsborg on Dec. 23. (Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County)
Habitat breaks ground at Carlsborg development

Lyon’s Landing planning to host 45 homes

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Students from Mutsu City, Japan, and Port Angeles sit in a Stevens Middle School classroom eating lunch before the culture fair on Tuesday. To pass the time, they decided to have a drawing contest between themselves. (Rob Edwards)
Japanese students visit Port Angeles as part of sister city program

Mutsu students tour area’s landmarks, stay with host families