Coach Burke's Contract Draws Controversy

The community is really talking about the girls' basketball coach who will not be hired back next year because of a donation he solicited from a local business.

Last week, the Sun Press reported that Melvin Burke will not be back, and Beachwood Patch found out why: he wrote a letter to a local business that made it sound like the district was in dire need of money, said Athletic Director Ryan Peters.

This has solicited the most comments Beachwood Patch has seen on a single story in its short life. Here’s a sampling.

Some commenters have argued that the punishment does not seem to fit the crime:

“How sad that the coach of the year and gave the district there first division conference championship... Won't be back for making ONE mistake and gave ONE letter out and received a gift card that was used for drinks at the team banquet caused him to lose his position and not be renewed. Sounds a bit suspicious that termination would be a result and with no formal written policy or procedures in place from the district.”

- I’m just saying

"This morning, I'm so disappointed and sad to live in this community because of the way Coach Melvin Burke was treated by Mr. Hardis, Mr. Peters and Mr. Markwardt. Melvin is an upstanding person of high character and class."

-EMDIRT

Merlin Hill stood up for the district:

"The first thing everybody should pay attention to is the fact that Coach Burke has said absolutely nothing about this situation. If he thought that he has been done wrong, don't you think that he would say something? He is not defending himself against the allegations that have been reported against him and as the reasons that have been publicially stated for the non-renewal seem a bit trivial dosen't this cause anyone to think that just maybe there is more to this situation than the reasons that are publically stated?"

Stephanie has posted the latest comment:

"WE get it he's a great coach and mentor like I said before he wouldn't have had to solicit funds if the parents of the team players stepped up to the plate and paid for the darn banquet. They should blame themselves for their coaches predicament. These parents are so concerned and disheartened where were they during the banquet planning. Its not the schools responsibility they have enough on their plate. Check out Senate Bill 5. Than you see what you might be loosing."

What do you think?