Attorney Advised Scyphers Not to Speak to Police

Simi Valley police officials said Tuesday they requested an interview with Mike Scyphers as part of an investigation of the suspended baseball coach, but Scyphers declined to be interviewed on advice from his attorney.

Scyphers was suspended as baseball coach May 3 pending police and Simi Valley school district investigations into possible disciplinary and financial improprieties. Police expect to conclude the investigation by Friday.

Scyphers also has filed a grievance against the Simi Valley Unified School District, asserting that he was suspended without five days’ notice as mandated in a union contract.

The district says that Scyphers was not entitled to that notice because he was suspended only as baseball coach, and not as a teacher. The grievance has been rejected by Simi Valley Principal Kathryn Scroggin and advanced to the district office.

Sue Norman, grievance chairman of the Simi Educators Assn., said she is trying to schedule a meeting as soon as possible with either Supt. Mary Beth Wolford or her designee, probably Leon Mattingley, assistant superintendent.

If the district rejects the grievance, Scyphers can seek arbitration, Norman said.

Simi Valley (20-6) defeated Santa Monica, 7-0, in the second round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs on Tuesday.