Parent Issues Statement in Support of Stagg Cheer Coach

PALOS, IL -- CHSD 230 Board of Education members will deliberate the fate of Stagg High School’s head cheer coach who has been suspended without pay since August. Bridget Guzior is accused of texting a student which is against district policy. Her attorney maintains that the parent was included on the text. Other charges under consideration include insubordination for not showing up to an investigatory interview with district administrators and failure to maintain accurate records of the cheer team’s accounts. After her suspension, Guzior filed a sexual harassment complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights against Stagg athletic director Terry Treasure.

In an open letter to D230 board members, Michael Orloff, the parent of Stagg cheer team member, speaks out in Guzior’s support, stating that if the practice of communicating with students and their respective parents via text is inappropriate “then every coach in district 230 needs to be removed because they all use similar platforms. The precedent you would be setting if no action was taken against other coaches would be construed as discriminatory.” The district school board will meet in closed session starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Board members are expected to take action in open session, where the public will have the opportunity to comment before the board votes on Guzior’s termination. Presented here is Orloff’s letter in its entirety.

My name is Michael Orloff and I wanted to speak a few words about the situation regarding Coach Guzior.

The Board needs to consider the facts. The entire cheer roster from last year supports their coach along with many former student athletes of the cheer program who have graduated. The vast majority of last year’s team that went to the state finals has left the team because of the suspension of their coach. They need this positive influence and role model that Coach Guzior. provides. Without it, many lacked the motivation to continue. If Coach Guzior was a detriment in any way to the program, the student athletes would have been appreciative, not abandoned the program that they cherish.

With regards to Charge#1, if this practice of communicating with the athletes and their respective parents is deemed inappropriate, then every coach in district 230 needs to be removed because they all use similar platforms. The precedent you would be setting if no action was taken against other coaches would be construed as discriminatory.

Charge #2 - The Board needs to consider the position of the coach. She retained counsel because this entire situation was overwhelming and became detrimental to her health. Her lawyer has been in contact with the legal representatives of the district and asked that any communications be directed through their office, not directly to the coach. This was a fair request.

Charge #3 - Coach Guzior supported the cheer program financially where the district had shortcomings in funding. She had fundraisers and even spent her own money to ensure the program had what it needed to be successful. After any review of the financials, I cannot see any merit where funds would be missing or were misappropriated.

I have attended many board meetings and have spoken to the board on previous occasions regarding this situation. Coach Guzior held our student athletes to a higher standard. These young adults matured as individuals and worked diligently to ensure their personal success and the team’s success. Anything other than a full reinstatement would be a travesty of justice to the entire program and its participants. I have never spoken to the board prior to this situation. Nor did I personally ever think I would be this passionate about cheer. Between my son, Coach Guzior, and the other student athlete’s parents, we became a family. Families support one another when faced with adversity. These charges are supported only by misinformation, prejudicial behavior, and unsubstantiated allegations.

Patch will be covering the D230 board meeting on Dec. 12 and broadcasting portions live on Facebook pending any connectivity issues. Follow the meeting on Palos Patch Facebook.