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Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:50:57 -0000

Grammarqueen - Out of respect for you posting your number and being willing to talk with a pretense that you were actually willing to talk like an adult and have a conversation to understand the real story, we called the number you left on Monday afternoon after realizing this was on here. The voicemail that answered was for "Carmen" and a message was left by Ronda who left a message and gave her cell and then mine again.

The person to call us back, named Carmen, said she had never read this story and wasn't sure what the message was about. So I say again, feel free to contact me if you have further questiosn or actually want to have an adult conversation. If you're going to leave your phone number though, make sure it's yours and not someone else's. Otherwise, please move on.

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:51:33 -0000

A P.S. to my post (since I can't seem to edit it) - I think it needs to be understood that when it comes to the "gray-area" stunts, RHS administrators were aware of those being done and gave explicit permission at times for them to be done. At the times the permission wasn't explicitly given, they were well aware that the gray was safely pushed and often commended Ronda on the level of the team and their obvious athleticism. They knew and never indicated it was a problem. Also, there is a completely differnt side to the story of the crowd cheer that hasn't been told that would make everyone else cringe to know it was used a "reason for release"

In 2 1/2 years, there is not one notification of any wrongdoing by Ronda from the RHS administration, no reprimands - verbal or written - documented, no signs of anything ever being wrong. As a matter of fact, on the contrary, she has e-mails from the RHS administration thanking her for her work, what she did for RHS cheer, the difference she has made, and how PROUD they were. And that was just this year so far. Last year she not only had the written praise, but her own AD talked about her accomplishments and achievements at the State Conference.

There was a lack of process here that is still frustrating, upsetting, painful and ridiculous. Add to that the character slander that has happened because everyone wants to speculate what's happened, and it's become ridiculous and overwhelming . She doesn't have anything to hide, but she also hasn't talked at length out of respect for the district she works for in other ways and truly enjoys in other ways. Quit trying to make this more dramatic than it needs to be or something it's not.

Now that the issues were bullet pointed (even though they'd already been addressed in other posts), with everything having been said, over and over again, it's time to move on and hopefully get the questions answered by only those that can actually clear this confusion and try to make sense of something that really doesn't. Feel free to contact me if you'd like - my number's been listed and I have noting to hide either. Otherwise, please move on and allow others to do the same.

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:28:47 -0000

It's sad you feel the need to not only bite at some of the people you have about spelling and word choices in your other erroneous posts, but now you also are attacking an innocent teenage girl for how she chooses to express herself in writing. Add to that attacking someone for their voice, a voice that many others have as well which I have no doubt you'd gleefully attack just for the sake of doing so.

You have made yourself out to be a very petty, vindictive individual -- all behind a disguise and a screen name. It would be interesting to see if you could/would say all these things to these people, including attacking innocent teenage girls, if they knew your face and name.

As you put in one of your many mundane posts grammarqueen - srsly (that's how you spelled it).....move on.

If you want to have a conversation that revolves around actual thought and not petty, biting shots at people, feel free to contact me as my number is listed. Otherwise, truly - move on and allow others to do the same.

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:45:39 -0000

citizenscan- It is comments of uncertainty, question, and ignorance, as you have noted above, that cause me to defend my wife, Ronda. As for fam41371815, you are just as ignorant to say it was stated beautifully. I wish I had seen this comment 2 weeks ago when it was originally posted. Everyone needs to move on including the supporters PLEASE!

FOR THE RECORD....
I know what was said on Ronda's dismissal. I read it, and was completely confusued. Someone of such loyalty to a school and surrounding community and who had done such selfless things for so many kids, should not be dimmissed for the following:

1. A highly spirited "Crowd Cheer" that the administration SAW MANY TIMES, and some squads are still doing at games, within the district (never documented as a concern unitl now). By the way, Ronda stopped allowing the crowd cheer, when advised by the administration.

2. An "over-qualified" Junior from Evergreen (LWSD), being put in to a stunt as a "fill-in", due to an injured member (never documented as a concern until now). Ronda didn't do it again, once advised by the administration.

3. A "over-qualified" Junior, filling in to be the mascot to enhance spirit, since no one else would do it. My son was also the mascot for a game, so I guess that makes two "over-qualified" Juniors. (never documented as a concern until now). Again, the mascot was put away, since no one "qualified" would it. In both cases, the parents were fully aware and present at both games. (This was "verbal" contract, unfortunatly, and not documented using the "proper paperwork". Somewhat like the errors for which the administration has made dismissing Ronda. By the way, the parents allowed permission to particitpate, and loved seeing their child on the field of their future High School.

4. Performing "gray-area" stunts (illeagal, as is what put in the dismissal notice). I don't believe the administration even knew what legal stunts or illeagal stunts would even look like. Apparently, like most negative comments in this blog, uneducated in Cheer, the activity in question, and taking the word of annoymous, outward speaking people with a personal agenda, to make a very bad decision. Show me a coach who doesn't push their athletes to be the best, push the envelope of what the kids have always known, and guide them down a positive path, allowing them to grow into better athletes/ competitors, as well as better individuals within their community.

There you have it. 4 reasons of dissmal. 4, count them, 4. 4 undocumented, not serious offenses. I personally seen the Football coaches, over the past 10 years of going to Redmond, do more inappropiate things then this. Is is right, no, but then a consultation should have been processed and documented if what Ronda was doing was in such griegious error.

Ronda is not allowed to say anything, as she is still involved in the LWSD district and will be. She is still on the LWSD payroll, and performing district duties around kids. If Ronda's mistakes were endangering kids, what was she doing???? Ronda would like to know as well.

The reason for all of the "character" comments...
That is all that can be talked about because team members don't know, parents have not been told, nor does Ronda know, anything of any substance pertaing to her dismissal. No pattern, no evidence, no motive, no circumstantial events, anything. If the adminstration though Ronda had too much "Control" of the crowd...well then at least someone did!

If I was a parent of one of these team members, on a successful, respected, and competitive program, I would be a little pissed off as well. THE LWSD is the party not talking and stating the "REAL" reason of the dissmissal, the sources of their reasoning, or any clear issues. Ronda is not the person hiding anything.

Thank you to LWSD administration, for adding such grief to my family, as well as to a once very positive aspect of your Redmond High School!

Contact me if you choose, but I am sure YOU, as the administration, has moved on. Everyone else needs to do the same because it just isn't worth fighting a battle when you don't know the reason nor the opponent. It just becomes a usless battle and no one really wins.

Additionly, I appoligize for any grammar issues, within my post , "grammarqueen". I don't have a proof-reader and frankly, I don't care!

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:25:18 -0000

Horse -

It is nice to see someone posting that's a "dispassionate obsersver" and to realize there various ways to view the same picture. It appears there are stil things being missed though as the reasons as put forth on paper as to why the coach was dismissed actually HAVE been noted by even those "ardent supporters" as well as by Nicole, the RHS team member who likely said it best.

The official reasons given haven't been hidden and much of the detail is there if you look closely. Nicole's letter explains it best and goes into more detail than anyone, including outlining some of the absurdity. As said earlier, I have unfortunately been privy to this situation for the last 4 weeks. I know what has been said and not said. I know the story I would like to tell, in the detail that is necessary to fully illustrate the obsurdity of the protocal, or lack therof. However, I haven't out of respect for my wife's position and for her future in the community, one she so dearly adored and so passionately wanted to be a part since first moving here.

Passionately defending someone you believe in doesn't make a cult. Be careful with that. Her most ardent supportes know she makes mistakes. Every coach does. But those same supporters don't believe the punishment of what has happened fit the crime of any mistake she may have made and they have said that. They are not saying she's perfect they are saying that she deserved to be treated FAR more fairly than she was and they are wanting answers as to the steps taken. Understandable.

I would say to look at Nicole's letter as she outlined it best so far as the situation contines to be addressed and hopefully questions answered in the way they should have been to begin with. I would encurage, again, everone to allow this to go through the protocols it should hae to begin with and to move on. I wish Nicole and her team mates the best.

Troy Thomas
425-830-4168

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:31:33 -0000

Snickerdoodle -

You are fighting with yourself as everyone, especially after Nicole's terrific letter, have started moving forward and though there are still a lot of unanswered questions out there that are in the process of getting answered, you as much as anyone are trying to continue the drama.

If you are on the team, you are doing your team no good trying to continue this bickering. As a matter of fact, you are completely counterproductive and I hope you start to follow the lead of Nicole who apparently is on your team.

As I said on the new article that I hope can close this one too, it's easy to cast stones and give opinions. However, regardless of your opinion of my wife, who can be very outspoken and to some people can seem intimidating because of the passion she has for kids and for cheer (something that is a very positive thing but also at times can work against her), the fact is that she is someone that has given and continues to give ALOT to cheerleading in Washington and that many, many people care about and that many, many kids have grown to love for what she is to them. Maybe not you if you actually cheered for her and I know she would find that unfortunate. And if you don't/didn't cheer for her, how ridiculous for you to be posting the things you are on here.

Like Nicole said, let the team try to start moving on as things hopefully get answered in the right way and stop the negative nelly nonsense and anonymous personal attacks and snippy comments. Try to be an adult and follow in the steps of the team member Nicole as everyone goes forward for answers. Good luck to you in moving forward and on.

Troy Thomas
425-830-4168

Re: Superintendent: Redmond School District not allowed to discuss cheer coach dismissal - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:54:34 -0000

Before people start posting, I would encourage everyone to read the young lady Nicole's post from the last article as she did a great job articulating what people needed to know, all based on facts, with a great maturity. There are still a lot of unanswered questions out there and still confusions. It's easy to get wrapped up in "the drama" of it all.

It's also easy to cast stones and give opinions. I hope remember that regardless of your opinion of my wife, who can be very outspoken and to some people can seem intimidating because of the passion she has for kids and for cheer (something that is a very positive thing but also at times can work against her), the fact is that she is someone that has given and continues to give ALOT to cheerleading in Washington and that many, many people care about and that many, many kids have grown to love for what she is to them.

Like Nicole said, let the kids try to start moving on as things hopefully get answered in the right way and stop the negative nelly nonsense and anonymous personal attacks. Let's be adults in this blog and follow in the steps of Nicole as we go forward for answers and to just go forward.

Thank you to the Redmond Reporter for continuing to cover a confusing story and taking a step towards more communication.

Troy Thomas
425-830-4168

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:03:53 -0000

Nice job Chris. And so it's sure to be read, redalum, make sure to look under your post. This alien (since I obviously can't be from God's green earth) has answered you. As I said in my ORIGINAL post, feel free to contact me and share your "negative nellie" thoughts anytime. You may just learn the TRUTH, but that may not be what you want to know. Youve got the number as I am done with the stupidity on this board.

Ronda, myself, her family, and the MANY people that know and love her know who she is, what shes about, and what a difference she makes in teh lives of others. She's not "above" anything and would readly admit she's made mistakes. So have some of you, actually most of you. Especially on these baords.

Take care and feel free to call redalum, this alien man would be happy to converse with someone from your planet about the wife he stands for.

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:55:28 -0000

It was brought to my attention that this was posted on here and so I wanted to respond. What a stupid coment to make that "there is no way on God's green earth that any man would write that." I guess I should thank you for the offhand compliment but it's hard to do that when the comment is so stupid.

You, if you're a man, maybe couldn't, or if you are a wife, maybe your husband wouldn't stand for you, but I have been the one MOST informed on all that's going on and now exactly what the processes, or lack of processes, have been. I HATE and DESPSE drama, but decided when "eastside mom" started attacking my family and making false statments about my wife and attacking my kids, it was time for me to jump in.

You've already been shown that gcandd is not Ronda but a group of people and they told you their names. It includes varying years of knowing here so obviously you're splitting hairs to try and prove some point that isn't there.

My name is Troy Thomas, I was at our gym until midnight writing the post because of the stupidity I am seeing on these boards, I have a copy at my home with the highlgihts of who I wanted to answer, my co-workers at my job saw it and the pst I was responding too, and if you feel the need to call me to ensure I wrote it, feel free. My cell phone is 425-830-4168. I'll have no problem telling you how stupid this entire sitation is and how ridiculous I feel it is, and people like you too that make it worse. Get a lfe.

I guess now I should say thanks for the compliment. Didn't know I could write so well as someone would think I was Ronda. That just proves, you DEFINITELY don't know her. Feel free to call. I DO and WILL stand for my wife and everythng she is and has always been to the people that matter. Otherwise, move on.

Re: Redmond High School cheer coach dismissed; rumors swirl - Redmond Reporter

gymowner — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:04:56 -0000

Well I am not even sure how to start, but by saying WOW!!!! As a few have stated in this blog, they don't want to hide behind an alias, so I too will agree with that. I will proudly state "I am the gym owner of Galaxy Cheer Inc. and YES, the PROUD husband of Ronda".

I applaud the supporters and even the quiet ones who didn't have an opportunity to be heard. As for the others, I am completely baffled. The complete ignorance that a forum of this nature, creates in people. Views that have limited truths, and yet such strong accusations. I believe the reporter did what she could to get the story correct. The only party not speaking and standing behind their stories are the LWSD and RHS administrators, in addition to the non-supporters. And sadly they are not being held accountable for their error in judgement.

I applaud Mary Stevens Decker for starting this article. The parents, the student-body, the cheer quad itself - they all should have been heard and a protcol should have been in place and followed. How this was handled was obsurd to say the least. For "eastsidemom" to comment on Ronda's personnel file, well there is nothing in there but positive, as I am sure Ronda has copies(I like to call it her Happy file).

I am still trying to figure out what Ronda did to be let go with pay, saying her "Services were no longer needed". That is a ironic statement aftern reading through this blog with knowledge that a new coach/advisor was assigned to the squad who apparently needed "emergency credentials" in order to perform her duty as advisor. That sounds safe! (Sorry for the sarcasim, but this is par for the situation).

According to how the LWSD Human Resource Manager wrote her dismissal, the worst thing I could see in the statement was allowing a younger LWSD student to participate while her gurardian was in the stands watching. I believe if the school had an issue about this, maybe a warning letter put into her file at most. Going against the administration, unintentionally mind you, on a crowd cheer during a football game - maybe another warning. On a side note -- I wish the admin staff luck conrolling the crowd now.

There is not one write-up of any concern to speak of in Ronda's file. The reporter has stated many times in this blog to come forward, if you know anything with any substance or accoutability, yet apparently the "NON-Supporters" don't believe in the truth, but would rather just add to the confusion and drama.

Several of the non-supporters don't even sound like they're reading the same article and yet they post such awful comments. "Redman" you are one of them. Find another blog or forum to be negative in or I am sorry..."unbiased". Redman, I think you mistook the meaning of "unbiased" as ignorant ...and all with no accountability to what you are saying or knowledge of the issue.

I have unfortunately been privy to this situation for the last 4 weeks. I know what has been said and not said. I know the story I would like to tell, but am not able to as well, in the detail that is necessary to fully illustrate the obsurdity. This is due to respecting my wife's position and for her future in this community, that she so dearly adored and so passionately wanted to be a part.

The LWSD administration has made it very clear that Ronda's involvement needs to be limited. Nice way to cover up the "REAL" story. I would like hear the real story as well, as I am sure many others. Ronda has made incredible strides within this community and the surrounding area including but not limited: Redmond HS, Woodinville HS, Cedar Crest HS, Kentwood HS, to mention a few.

And she continues to do so, using whatever methods she deems necessary to support a mission statement develop many years ago by her and myself...RIPPLES! The seven letters means a lot, for those of you who have been inspired by Ronda. And it stands for taking the high road at all times, even when the lowest road would be much easier to travel as some in this blog have done. No one is perfect, but Ronda comes darn close.

As for comments about her being a gym-owner and a conflict of interest. FAM41371815, you are ignorant to say the least and what exactly have the parents and kids learned from this mess? Believe me, find a cheer coach that doesn't have a connection to a gym and you will find a whole lot of inexperience, and that my fellow poster, is the biggest safety hazard.

As for "Stangparent" and "eastsidemom", you both need something else to do with your time because your world is more messed up that I can even imagine! Believe me, I wish Ronda was more about the money. I REALLY do. I might be living near you and enjoying your luxuries. My luxury is only watching my own kids thrive and grow, watching other kids thrive and grow, and knowing my wife is doing what she has always set out to do -- make a difference.

SADLY, she is not about the money and has always been about YOUR kids experience, YOUR kids future, as a repected human being, and YES, sometimes Ronda's family is what was put beneath YOURS. I can vouch for MY family though...we support her and believe in what she does. I hope you and the rest of the "non-supporters" have someone as well.

The gym does NOT make the money like it should and if you can find a gym-owner/ coach, who offers the same quality for the same price, is respected by the "cheer community", as well as respected within their city limits and beyond from schools to businesses, nationally known for their greatness and achievments, please let me know, because I have yet to see it but a few times and I can almost bet that my wife helped he/she get started and continues to evolve herself, inspiring others to follow.

I feel for the RHS crew. They lost, not only a GREAT COACH, but a tremdous role-model as a good human being. Selfishly, I haven't always agreed with the time, money, and effort, Ronda puts into this industry, but for the supporters -- I THANK YOU!

In closing, those of you that know me...I apologize to you! I don't get involved with the cheer-drama much, but there were just some extremely rude and unwarranted comments stated here in the blog, on top of how Ronda has been mistreated by the RHS administration (people she truly admired for so long)

Back when she was coaching the RHS drill-team in 1999-2000 or so, coaching made her transition from California to Washington much easier, knowing a team she had a passion for needed her. That team too had incredible respect, integrity, pride, perfection, loyalty, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship (she was not fired by the way "Stangparent' get your facts straight. In addition, you might contact the school board about the football, basketball, and other coaches yelling at their kids....you know, actually COACHING them of what to do during a game-what a complete ignorant posting you had).

Anyway, I just had say something, because I truly believe the majority of the RHS Cheer squad wanted, needed, and appreciated Ronda for who she is, what she stands for, the impact she has on their lives, and the competitive edge she was willing to share. I am now processing ... and letting it go! :) Have a great evening everyone! Yes, even the "evil" people!

Feel free to contact me and share your "negative-nellie's" thoughts, anytime. I hope your life improves from this day forward and wish you the best. I've moved on....you should to.