DVHS debate coach's dismissal is shrouded in mystery and secrecy. It has hurt the debate team performance, their morale and has introduced lack of trust and confidence towards school district staff. As a supportive parent, I feel the decision was politically motivated laced with rivalries and here say.

It shows the shear incompetence of the school district in managing these issues. You don't fire a winning team's coach in the middle of the season unless there are serious criminal charges. In this case, Mr McMillan is still teaching and is in contact with the student body. Obviously, the charges are not of criminal nature.

In such cases, unless there are other competent staff to backup the teams, you don't pull the rug from under 500 very competent students who are poised to debate throughout the season. This shows utter disregard and lack of understanding that school district has for the DVHS students. The debate teams, totaling 500 students and their parents are all of the opinion that this coach has done a remarkable job over last 4 years. Could they all be wrong?

This shows our schools are managed by incompetent administrators. What else could be happening that we don't know. What else is being stuffed under the rugs. This is unacceptable and the community should demand an answer.

These 500 debaters and their 1000 parents represent that many votes. Imaging if all of these voters request the state education board to start the investigation into the wrongful actions, outdated policies & procedures to decide these matters and personal vendetta against individuals.... this issue will grow legs.

The petition mentioned in this article:
Web Link

Our club is barely functioning without Mr. MacMillan, who has unselfishly dedicated countless hours to our success.
With all due respect to the district and those responsible for this decision, we NEED Mac back and our club is in no way preparing or functioning at the same level as before.
PLEASE sign this petition and help us get our beloved coach back.

As an ex teacher in one of the poorest run districts --Redwood City--I wish the supportive parents and students lots of luck in their remarkable support of Mr. Mac. It's political. Some mucky muck has an agenda. Those who cry the loudest for the children--are in reality--the enemy---as you get. Loser to the truth of the politics/cronyism----they will cite personnel privacy issues. Lol!

On the same issue - there was a second meeting at the district. Parents and students again came up one after the other and requested the board to reinstate the coach so the debate club can go forward.

The school board went into a close session after these presentations and half an hour later came back with a unanimous decision to stay firm on the decision to dismiss Mr. Mac as a coach.

Lesson learned for the 500 DVHS debate kid - You don't matter to school board. The Gods of school board have struck the gravel and no one can change it regardless of how damaging this action is for you or your piddly debate tournaments. It does not matter if you have worked hard week after week for debate competitions in addition to all the AP courses and demanding tests and homework assignments. Even if your coach has helped you propel you and your teams to the national debating forefront - he has made it too successful and someone is looking bad.

All of your achievements, including the best school rating has someone irked badly. It may be politically motivated but most of the parents are feeling it may have some demographic twist. The debate team is almost entirely Asian and the school has about 60-70 % asian students - and you can't be allowed to look that good in comparison. I hate to think this may be happening - but if it is - I urge the parents to participate in the school board election process and vote the incompetent members out.