Scyphers’ Job for Next Season Still Uncertain

Mike Scyphers’ baseball coaching career remains in limbo after the Simi Valley Unified School District board on Tuesday failed to vote on his rehiring as Simi Valley High baseball coach, instead scheduling a hearing with Scyphers.

Scyphers said he was told by Simi Valley Principal Kathryn Scroggin last week that she submitted a recommendation that Scyphers be rehired under several probationary terms, and that the board would vote on Scroggin’s recommendation at a closed-door meeting Tuesday night.

But board members said they could not vote on Scyphers’ rehiring until a hearing is held with Scyphers to discuss the terms of the recommendation. The hearing, which will be closed to the public, has been scheduled for July 14.

“I think there was a misunderstanding,” board member Debbie Sandland said.

Scyphers, 41, who led the Pioneers to national prominence during his 16 seasons as coach, was suspended May 3 while police and the district investigated allegations of financial and disciplinary improprieties.

The Ventura County district attorney cleared Scyphers of criminal wrongdoing on June 8 and his suspension was lifted the following day. Because coaches in the district are on one-year contracts, Scyphers still needed Scroggin’s and the board’s approval to return to his job next season.

Last Thursday, Scroggin provided her approval for his rehire, with 10 stipulations that he maintain certain conduct, Scyphers said.

Scroggin could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Scyphers said he requested hearings for the past month, but none were granted. Sue Norman, grievance chair for the Simi Educators Assn., said the board was following proper procedure by not having a hearing with Scyphers until they received Scroggin’s recommendation.

Board members would not guarantee that Scyphers’ job status for next season would be resolved at the meeting on July 14, but they assumed it would.

“I think it’s too early to tell right now,” said Carla Kurachi, board president. “But I would imagine it would.”

Scyphers came to the meeting about 2 1/2 hours after it began. He said he had been expecting a phone call from Leslie Crunelle, director of secondary education, telling him if the board had approved his rehiring. Scyphers said he was surprised when a reporter told him the board had not voted.