Keep Coach Link at North Branch Schools

To: The North Branch School Board
Keep Coach Link

We the undersigned urge the North Branch School District Board to retain Phil Link by selecting him for the now vacant Athletic Director position for the North Branch Area Schools.

We realize that the school is under significant financial pressure however losing Phil would be detrimental to the development of our school district and only add to the future financial crisis. Currently Phil encourages retention of students and increased awareness of the schools programs. Many students know Phil not just the football players. He shows genuine interest in their lives and many seek him out. Our declining participation in activities has turned around because of his ability to connect with the students.

With the retirement of Becky Leuer as activity director, you have an opportunity to open up that position to Phil Link. He has the support of the kids, parents and community, what more do you need? Look what he has done in one year. Imagine what he could bring to the rest of the programs in the school as the athletic director. Because of the work that Phil has done we have the opportunity to ATTRACT students into our district. His enthusiasm has trickled into the other sports and students are across the board showing school spirit and the community is rallying again. How wonderful it was to see the stands full at the football games. Students have taken it upon themselves to cheer and show pride in their school for the first time in many years. Because of Phil there has been a significant increase in the number of scholarships that students have received to attend college. We feel that having Phil as our athletic director he can broaden his ability to work for our students. Phil brings a quality of leadership and a can do attitude that has student believing in themselves. Failure to keep Phil will undoubtedly increase the current attrition of students.

The loss of Phil Link will no doubt equate to loss of student enrollment. Our discouraged students will leave North Branch Schools to go to other districts in order to fill the void of losing coach Link. At our current per student funding formula it would only take 10 students to leave and we would have paid for his position. By keeping him it is possible that we will attract new students and his position will have brought something that hasnt happened in many years.

It is up to you the school board to choose to retain the services of Phil Link. We demand that you find a way to keep this valuable resource in our community. It is in the best interest of the students and the North Branch community as a whole to retain Phil Link.