Two members of the public urged the Show Low Unified School District Governing Board on Monday to review athletic department procedures and to hold leadership accountable after a contested coaching removal.

Josh Tatum, who identified himself as a parent and volunteer coach, told the board there was "no onboarding process" for volunteer coaches and called for a district review of athletic policies and a formal evaluation of the athletic director's leadership and oversight. Tatum cited a September 3 home game in which he said the athletic director, while acting as a referee, "unilaterally decided not to allow a point after a touchdown despite AIA ruling" and responded to questions in a confrontational way. Tatum asked the board to "review the athletic department policy and procedures for accuracy and compliance" and to "ensure the due process and the student athletic code of conduct are applied consistently to all parties." He described the removal of a volunteer coach after a practice conflict as occurring without interviews of assistant coaches or parents.

DJ Bridal, who described himself as a community member, firefighter and longtime coach, delivered a detailed packet of emails, witness logs and parent letters for the board's review. Bridal said he received multiple, conflicting explanations for his removal and alleged selective enforcement: "I was singled out; others in the same situation remained," he said. He also recounted an incident at a game where the athletic director entered the field and directed play, and said the director asked, "Do you know who I am?" Bridal asked the board for three actions: a written letter clearing his name, accountability for the superintendent and athletic director for contradictory explanations, and consistent enforcement of district policies so coaches, athletes and parents are held to the same standards.

Board members acknowledged the comments and said they would check rules about parent attendance at practices and other matters. Shortly after public comment, the board voted to enter executive session; no formal action related to the speakers' requests was taken on the public record before the meeting adjourned.

The speakers asked the board to examine application of the district's student-athlete parent code of conduct and to ensure equitable, documented processes are followed before removing volunteers. The transcript records no board decision on those requests during the open meeting.