Coach disciplined

(Editor’s note: A previous version of this story referred to Jay County High School boys basketball coach Jerry Bomholt being placed on probation. School board member Phil Ford contacted the newspaper Friday morning to dispute that account. The Commercial Review independently reviewed the recording of the meeting and determined Ford’s assessment is correct. The story has been edited based on that review.)

Jerry Bomholt received an extension last month to remain the Patriots’ boys basketball coach for the 2024-25 season.

Just over a month later, he is receiving disciplinary action.

Jay School Board voted 5-1 Thursday to implement disciplinary action for Bomholt following an incident with a student.

Bomholt has coached the Jay County High School boys basketball team for the last four seasons.

On March 18, Jay School Board approved Bomholt’s contract extension 6-1 with Chip Phillips dissenting. Prior to the vote, the board discussed that some constituents had expressed concern about the extension.

Following the meeting on March 18, Bomholt confronted a student athlete in class about his coaching contract, Jay Schools superintendent Jeremy Gulley said Thursday in response to a question posed by Jay School Board member Phil Ford.

“Coach Jerome Bomholt confronted and questioned the student athlete, giving rise to a complaint by his father and this student,” Gulley said.

“His conduct was unprofessional and inappropriate. His actions were under the color of his authority as head basketball coach and presented an imbalance of power between the adult and student in this situation.

“The questions and topic Bomholt raised with the student were in connection to his coaching contract and not any topic related to his classroom.”

As a result of that action, the board decided to discipline Bomholt, with members Vickie Reitz, Jason Phillips, Marcie Vormohr, Ron Laux and Ford voting in favor. Donna Geesaman abstained and Chip Phillips was absent.

The discipline includes three items:

•Counseling twice a month

•A written warning

•To not violate any further school policies

Before that action was taken, Gulley made a recommendation to place Bomholt on probation based off information discussed during an executive session held April 9. A motion was made to that effect but died for lack of a second.

Ford then made the motion that was eventually approved, while also asking Gulley and attorney Josh Atkinson a series of questions.

“I think the motion and the second to Mr. Ford’s motion … is acceptable to me to get to a fair outcome that could prevent further issues coming in the future and at that point in the future, the ball will be in the coach’s court,” Gulley said.

Four members of the public spoke, ranging from support for Bomholt to specific thoughts on potential punishment. The reason for the potential disciplinary action had not yet been officially disclosed before public comment.

Patrick Lambert, father of basketball player Gradin Swoveland, stood in for his son in support of Bomholt as Swoveland could not make the meeting because of a practice in Fort Wayne.

Former school board member Chris Snow brought concerns about disciplinary actions that would result in probation looming over the 2024-25 season, affecting Bomholt’s ability to coach. He also said it could create a situation detrimental to the players if Bomholt were to be fired midseason.

Greg Miller expressed concern about the number of staff that have been put on administrative leave this year, stating that if the infraction was enough to warrant a vote, it was enough to warrant discipline.

Kelly Hemmelgarn questioned the entire process of extending coaches and the decision-making process for disciplinary action.