C-S school board votes to not retain Langs in two roles
By Bruce Rolfe
A decision by the Climax-Scotts Board of Education not to retain Tyler Langs as Climax-Scotts Varsity Football Coach and Athletic Director at a special school board meeting February 24 could create an uncertain future for the C-S graduate.
The Board voted by a 5-1-1 margin (Jackie Longman voted no and Matt Birkam recused himself due to conflict of interest) to non-renew Langs as the varsity football coach.
The Board then voted by a 4-2-1 margin (Sue Reichert and Jackie Longman voted no and Matt Birkam recused himself) to non-renew Langs as Athletic Director.
C-S Superintendent of Schools Doug Newington said according to the definition of conflict of interest, Birkam did not need to recuse himself, but chose to on his own.
While Langs admits the board’s decision was troubling for him and his family, he still wishes the best for the district and the students.
“It affects more then just me. It affects my wife and four kids. Even though the supporters that were here tonight, it’s one of those things that God’s got a plan and we move forward to it. I wish the best for C-S, always have. Still care about the kids and the community. We wish them the best. It definitely hurts not being part of the future for sure,” said Langs.
Also the Dean of Students at C-S, Langs was placed on paid administrative leave October 24 in all three roles because Newington said the school district received complaints regarding the current football coach.
An investigation followed and the School District allowed Langs to return only in the Dean of Students role February 17.
Newington said if the Dean of Students receives a satisfactory evaluation, completed by the principal, the position will renew for the next school year.
However Langs is skeptical with the current school board in place.
“To be honest, the way things have gone, I don’t know how long they will see me as Dean of Students. The way this whole thing went down, I would say it’s probably a matter of time. But I still love the kids and as long as I can still be a part of it here at C-S, we’ll continue to be a part of it. I care about the place greatly,” said Langs.
Langs feels a portion of the school board’s statement about the investigation that was made at an earlier school board meeting was not true, leaving the door open for litigation against the C-S School District.
“We’re going to try our best to legally do it the right way. But legally, to get our name cleared in the right way. And even if we’re not at C-S, still get our name cleared because it’s not right,” said Langs.
Katherine Wolf Broaddus, of the Thrun Law Firm that represents the C-S School District, was introduced and appointed by a unanimous vote as the Hearing Officer for the Tyler Langs employment hearing to advise and assist the board through the hearing February 24. She explained the personnel recommendation to the board and audience.
Newington said in order for the board to take action on the two positions, a recommendation must come from the superintendent. In this case, Newington recommended the board not renew Tyler Langs’ assignment as varsity football coach and Athletic Director.
Broaddus said that recommendation was also provided to Langs.
Broaddus said Langs has been paid the full stipend to be the varsity football coach and while he will not continue with the athletic director responsibilities the rest of the year, he will receive the remainder of his pay.
A contract for both positions, will not be entered for the 2026-2027 school year.
Newington said the school district will review all open full and part-time positions to create the most effective and efficient structure before posting the positions.
Board member Jackie Longman asked Newington if he felt the district did everything to help Langs succeed through the situation.
“I think because of how the complaints came in, I think having an investigation was the right way to go and that kind of started the process to the next level,” said Newington.
Longman reaffirmed her stance that she didn’t agree with the non-re-new option and even asked if she could make an opposite motion. Broaddus said that was an option and the board was not held to the verbiage that was recommended for non-renewal.
However only two separate motions to not retain Langs were offered.
Broaddus noted Langs had the option to hold the employment hearing in closed session but because there was no request the hearing was held in open session.
Broaddus adds each board member, as well as Langs, received the written complaints the district received against Tyler Langs, with the names of the complainants redacted for privacy.
She said Langs had an opportunity to respond to the complaints to Newington or in writing.
A special investigation conducted by an attorney from the law firm that represents the school district, Thrun Law Firm, P.C., took place. The board received a special investigation report in December, based on the initial complaints that were received before December. Broaddus noted since January 12, 2026, the board received additional complaints regarding Langs, which were provided to the board and Langs. The Thrun Law Firm attorney said the board should only consider the complaints that were provided by the administration.
Langs was offered an opportunity to respond to the board but instead chose to tell the audience he and his family deeply appreciated all the support during this long journey that started October 24.
“Sometimes, you’ve got to move forward, move on. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you guys, loving our family. We know that this is something, that in our minds, was not done the right way. We still wish the best for C-S and the kids. That will never change. Love this place and always will. Even if this is not the place we’ll end up being. C-S means a lot to us,” said Langs, who received a standing ovation after he spoke.
Seven people from the audience, including Tyler’s father, recently retired longtime C-S teacher and C-S varsity football coach Kevin Langs spoke during public forum.
With Kevin Langs retiring a few weeks earlier and the board’s decision not to retain Tyler in the football coach and athletic director positons, Scotts residents Joel and Kim Coburn were concerned about the negative impact the board’s decision will have on the school district and the community.
“It’s going to be a drastic change. You can’t get relationships like what they have at Climax-Scotts now. It’s going to be really difficult,” said Joel.
“He (Kevin Langs) did so many things behind the scenes that people don’t know about. There’s been many times that Kevin has gotten up early in the morning to go pick up a kid to take them to something,” adds Kim Coburn.
In other board action February 24, the board approved Stormie Pedraza, from the school district’s Business Office, as Local Agency Security Officer responsible for storing and security of background checks. The current policy had the name of a previous employee listed.
A decision by the Climax-Scotts Board of Education not to retain Tyler Langs as Climax-Scotts Varsity Football Coach and Athletic Director at a special school board meeting February 24 could create an uncertain future for the C-S graduate.
The Board voted by a 5-1-1 margin (Jackie Longman voted no and Matt Birkam recused himself due to conflict of interest) to non-renew Langs as the varsity football coach.
The Board then voted by a 4-2-1 margin (Sue Reichert and Jackie Longman voted no and Matt Birkam recused himself) to non-renew Langs as Athletic Director.
C-S Superintendent of Schools Doug Newington said according to the definition of conflict of interest, Birkam did not need to recuse himself, but chose to on his own.
While Langs admits the board’s decision was troubling for him and his family, he still wishes the best for the district and the students.
“It affects more then just me. It affects my wife and four kids. Even though the supporters that were here tonight, it’s one of those things that God’s got a plan and we move forward to it. I wish the best for C-S, always have. Still care about the kids and the community. We wish them the best. It definitely hurts not being part of the future for sure,” said Langs.
Also the Dean of Students at C-S, Langs was placed on paid administrative leave October 24 in all three roles because Newington said the school district received complaints regarding the current football coach.
An investigation followed and the School District allowed Langs to return only in the Dean of Students role February 17.
Newington said if the Dean of Students receives a satisfactory evaluation, completed by the principal, the position will renew for the next school year.
However Langs is skeptical with the current school board in place.
“To be honest, the way things have gone, I don’t know how long they will see me as Dean of Students. The way this whole thing went down, I would say it’s probably a matter of time. But I still love the kids and as long as I can still be a part of it here at C-S, we’ll continue to be a part of it. I care about the place greatly,” said Langs.
Langs feels a portion of the school board’s statement about the investigation that was made at an earlier school board meeting was not true, leaving the door open for litigation against the C-S School District.
“We’re going to try our best to legally do it the right way. But legally, to get our name cleared in the right way. And even if we’re not at C-S, still get our name cleared because it’s not right,” said Langs.
Katherine Wolf Broaddus, of the Thrun Law Firm that represents the C-S School District, was introduced and appointed by a unanimous vote as the Hearing Officer for the Tyler Langs employment hearing to advise and assist the board through the hearing February 24. She explained the personnel recommendation to the board and audience.
Newington said in order for the board to take action on the two positions, a recommendation must come from the superintendent. In this case, Newington recommended the board not renew Tyler Langs’ assignment as varsity football coach and Athletic Director.
Broaddus said that recommendation was also provided to Langs.
Broaddus said Langs has been paid the full stipend to be the varsity football coach and while he will not continue with the athletic director responsibilities the rest of the year, he will receive the remainder of his pay.
A contract for both positions, will not be entered for the 2026-2027 school year.
Newington said the school district will review all open full and part-time positions to create the most effective and efficient structure before posting the positions.
Board member Jackie Longman asked Newington if he felt the district did everything to help Langs succeed through the situation.
“I think because of how the complaints came in, I think having an investigation was the right way to go and that kind of started the process to the next level,” said Newington.
Longman reaffirmed her stance that she didn’t agree with the non-re-new option and even asked if she could make an opposite motion. Broaddus said that was an option and the board was not held to the verbiage that was recommended for non-renewal.
However only two separate motions to not retain Langs were offered.
Broaddus noted Langs had the option to hold the employment hearing in closed session but because there was no request the hearing was held in open session.
Broaddus adds each board member, as well as Langs, received the written complaints the district received against Tyler Langs, with the names of the complainants redacted for privacy.
She said Langs had an opportunity to respond to the complaints to Newington or in writing.
A special investigation conducted by an attorney from the law firm that represents the school district, Thrun Law Firm, P.C., took place. The board received a special investigation report in December, based on the initial complaints that were received before December. Broaddus noted since January 12, 2026, the board received additional complaints regarding Langs, which were provided to the board and Langs. The Thrun Law Firm attorney said the board should only consider the complaints that were provided by the administration.
Langs was offered an opportunity to respond to the board but instead chose to tell the audience he and his family deeply appreciated all the support during this long journey that started October 24.
“Sometimes, you’ve got to move forward, move on. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you guys, loving our family. We know that this is something, that in our minds, was not done the right way. We still wish the best for C-S and the kids. That will never change. Love this place and always will. Even if this is not the place we’ll end up being. C-S means a lot to us,” said Langs, who received a standing ovation after he spoke.
Seven people from the audience, including Tyler’s father, recently retired longtime C-S teacher and C-S varsity football coach Kevin Langs spoke during public forum.
With Kevin Langs retiring a few weeks earlier and the board’s decision not to retain Tyler in the football coach and athletic director positons, Scotts residents Joel and Kim Coburn were concerned about the negative impact the board’s decision will have on the school district and the community.
“It’s going to be a drastic change. You can’t get relationships like what they have at Climax-Scotts now. It’s going to be really difficult,” said Joel.
“He (Kevin Langs) did so many things behind the scenes that people don’t know about. There’s been many times that Kevin has gotten up early in the morning to go pick up a kid to take them to something,” adds Kim Coburn.
In other board action February 24, the board approved Stormie Pedraza, from the school district’s Business Office, as Local Agency Security Officer responsible for storing and security of background checks. The current policy had the name of a previous employee listed.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
