Superintendent Denies Pressuring Coach

What some parents argue is an abuse of power, Walter Swanson says is a misunderstanding that illustrates the difficult balancing act of fatherhood and his role as a school official.

Swanson, superintendent of the William S. Hart Union High School District, is accused of pressuring Hart High School baseball Coach Bud Murray into giving his son more playing time and keeping him on the varsity.

Craig Swanson played third base for Hart High’s varsity until he was switched to the junior varsity and subsequently quit the team in early April. Swanson said he met with Murray, but did so as a parent.

Also, Murray recently received a letter from Swanson’s wife Debby, who criticized Murray’s decisions regarding her son’s amount of playing time. The letter, a copy of which was mailed to Hart Principal Laurence Strauss, was mailed in an envelope that was stamped with the return address of the district office.

“My children, like all children from time to time, need to be supported by their mother and father,” Swanson said. “I apologize if I have done something that has created the impression or caused parents to believe that I have not been fair to their children. As a matter of record, I did not request that my son be given extra playing time while he was a member of the team.”

Swanson spoke to a crowd of more than 200 people at Wednesday night’s district board meeting, most of whom were attending to address later agenda items. The comments could have been heard in a session closed to the media and public, but Swanson and the board opted to hear the complaints at the start of the regular meeting.

A group of parents and boosters of the William S. Hart High School baseball team rallied behind Murray and the baseball program and were angered pressure may have been placed on the coach.

“Certainly every parent has the right to speak up for their son or daughter,” said parent Wayne Wallace. “It is clearly evident this is not the case.”

Added parent Kay Stephenson: “I believe this unprofessional behavior deserves a formal investigation. We believe an apology is owed to the coaching staff and Coach Murray.”

Board member Dennis King complained the allegations were brought to the press rather than submitted through the district’s grievance process.

One parent criticized the coaching of the baseball team Wednesday night, saying he unsuccessfully tried to go through that process.

“For all of those parents whose children went successfully through this program, there are some kids who were deeply hurt by that coaching staff,” said parent Steve Gruhlke.