Split Decision

A couple of Buckeye Local Board of Education members must not know a good thing when they have one.

 Gary Raber was rehired by a slim 3-2 board vote Monday night as the Panthers' head boys' basketball coach. I am glad Coach Raber was re-employed to that post. I am also disturbed two members cast votes against the former Hiland High hoop standout.

  Coach Raber, who also serves as the school's athletic director, is on the short list of top basketball coaches -- boys or girls --  in the OVAC. Why two board members would want to remove him is dumbfounding.
   Raber is a superb teacher of the game. While this past year was disappointing record wise, Raber's teams have overachieved in the past.
   Moreover, he promotes his program well, attracting the student body to hoop games with special events while also showcasing his team with a trip to Hiland.
   We do not know if those dissenting board members have personal axes to grind, but Buckeye Local would be hard-pressed to find a better basketball coach than Gary Raber.