By Stella Heo and Kayli Harley, Online Editors-in-Chief
// The Acalanes Union High School District reinstated Acalanes High School Junior Varsity Football Head Coach Greg Young on Wednesday after placing him on paid administrative leave following an incident during the Sept. 3 junior varsity football game.
In response to a letter Principal Eric Shawn released to the Acalanes football community on Sept. 7 stating Young would not return until the end of the season, football players wore their jerseys to school on Sept. 8 with the name “Young” taped on their backs.
Shawn issued another letter to the Acalanes football community on Oct. 13 explaining the circumstances of Young’s reinstatement.
“During this time away from coaching, Coach Young has been reflecting on his actions and engaging with our district office administrators, and myself,” Shawn said in the email. “In the course of my meetings and conversations, Coach Young recognized both the seriousness and the immediate impact his inappropriate actions had on our staff member, the staff that supported her, and our school community. Over the last five weeks, he has worked to apologize and meet with our staff member to offer his apologies and commitment to always respect and support teachers, staff and school policy.”
Shawn also emphasized Acalanes’ dedication to creating an equitable school environment. The letter cited the school’s commitment to restorative justice as a basis for Young’s reinstatement.
“As an institution committed to restorative conversation, we will continue to engage in equity work with students, staff, parents, and with our athletic teams and coaches,” Shawn said. “As educators, we believe in learning from our mistakes, repairing harm when it is done, understanding the impact of our words and actions, and making sure our community is stronger.”
Blueprint will provide more information about this event in our third issue of the school year, which will come out on Nov. 5.