Concerns Raised Over Glendora HS Pep Club Status: Letter to the Editor

A Glendora Patch reader reached out to us with the following letter to the editor:

The initial controversy regarding the Glendora Pep Club surrounded the elimination of pep flags and mascots, termination of all coaching staff, and elimination of competition.

The Glendora Pep Club Meeting at Glendora High School (GHS) on Tuesday, March 22 was eventful with the production of emails and witness testimonials that supported how this controversy began.

The GHS administration insisted there was a misunderstanding of both parties. Post meeting status- everything related to Pep Club is ambiguous. No news on any specific complaints to merit the removal of the coaching staff, just generalized accusations that seem very personal in nature.

The GHS Pep Club Athletes are advocating to retain their coaches and to preserve their ability to compete with GHS. No specific answers were provided during the meeting to address these two primary concerns. Selection of coaching staff was diverted to the new Pep Club Advisors. It was stated that the teams will remain intact, but no written commitment was provided.

One parent revealed the consideration of the removal of the aforementioned teams was disclosed in December 2015. That information was received with positive and negative comments.

In the meeting it became clear that parents and athletes also want fair and equitable recognition of Pep Club accomplishments, to practice on the GHS campus, along with respect. The principal proposed adding a Pep Class, parents verbalized concerns about this class in relation to advanced placement courses and involvement in other GHS activities.

It appeared from the meeting, that there are some bias' with regard to a culture of minimizing Pep Club Athletes as "real" athletes. Some parents mentioned disparaging remarks from teachers and parents to student athletes and oversight by the principal, accusations the principal denied. The accusations were terrible and the confirmation of various incidents by witnesses was uncomfortable for all in attendance.

Concerns related to competition included possible underlying issues related to Title IX and CIF. Parents were educated about GHS waiting to proceed until the Southern Section establishes rules for the sport. The Principal discussed possibly diverting competition away from GHS, which led to the question of future CIF funding. Currently, all that information was vague. The Glendora Unified School District is being asked to intervene on behalf of the Pep Club Athletes and prioritize the voices of the athletes regarding competition and their coaching staff.

Kindest regards,

Monica Sherratt, A concerned Glendora Citizen