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Monroe Schools New Athletic Director
When Monroe Coach Jason Krause’s name appeared on the list of finalists seeking Middletown’s coaching job, many were surprised. He was a last minute applicant and wasn’t on the initial list of interested candidates.
On Monday, April 14, some Monroe Local School residents came to the Board of Education meeting to voice their dissatisfaction with the district for not appearing to do everything within its power to keep coach Jason Krause from possibly leaving Hornet country.
Krause is one of several candidates seeking to become the new football coach at Middletown High School. He has led the Monroe Hornets football team to three straight playoff appearances, winning regional championships in 2005 (Division IV) and 2007 (Division III).
On Monday. some residents made it clear they want Krause to stay.
Thelma Hacker, a Monroe resident and Transportation Supervisor for Middletown Schools, told the board how the community did not want to lose Krause. “He’s a good family man and he clearly loves what he does. The kids and I would like him to stay,” Hacker told the board.
Since the district was formed in 2001, she said over the years, the district has lost a lot of good coaches. “When good people start leaving your district it’s sad to watch,” she said.
Hacker said she moved to Monroe 48 years ago and supported the district when it decided to become its own entity and will continue to do so.
However, she said when good people such as Krause start leaving, the district needs to start thinking about why.
Missy Osterman, whose sons Tyler and Jason play football and basketball at Monroe, said it was insinuated to Jason by former Superintendent Arnol Elam and district officials that he would be the next athletic director along with retaining his football coaching position.
Board President Tom Leeds said Krause was allowed to apply for the AD post; but since he wanted to be AD & football coach, the district could not allow that.
Osterman wanted to know why Krause was not told he couldn’t hold both positions face to face.
“Had he been contacted, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” she said.
Leeds said there was no board record of his wish to serve a dual role as AD/football coach.
Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli told Osterman if Krause had made his interest known to her, she would have gladly talked to him about it.
Dave Bauer, a long-time Fairfield coach and freshman athletic director, was introduced as the new Monroe athletic director during the meeting. He is replacing John Singleton, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Bauer will officially begin in August.
So what do you think? Should Krause have contacted district officials and Lolli to speak with them about his interest in serving a dual role or should Lolli, who became the new superintendent in December, and district officials have done more to try and keep him happy in Monroe?
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