By James Windell
It wasn’t on the agenda for the South Haven Board of Education meeting on June 24, 2026, but praise for Coach Gary Guthrie seemed to take centerstage as a high school student and several parents used the community comments portion of the meeting to talk about him.
Actually, the first comments by members of the audience occurred during the School Board’s Budget Meeting, which preceded the regular board meeting. Blake Slazek, who will be a South Haven High School senior this fall, addressed the board by stating that, “I came here today to speak in regards to Coach Guthrie.”
Slazek then talked about his relationship with Guthrie. “I have one of the most special relationships with this man,” he said. “He has shown nothing but compassion and care for everybody I’ve seen him interact with. He is such an [instrumental] piece of our school and to the success of the students who are enrolled here; he is a vital part of our community.”
Slazek went on to say that Guthrie takes time out of his day to make things happen for kids and he is just an incredible human being.” He said that it was “completely unfathomable to me as a student and as a friend to him and as a player who he has coached for the last four years” that Guthrie had been let go.
The student concluded his remarks by saying that “If our whole purpose as Rams is to become respectful, accountable, and motivated, …then he is the human embodiment of that. He demonstrates that on a daily basis both inside and outside of the school…I believe that there are reasons as to why you may think that letting him go is the best, but I strongly, strongly disagree, as do many other people here today.”
Guthrie has been with South Haven Schools for several years and been both a football and bowling coach as well as a Success Coach at the high school.
According to Superintendent of Schools, Ana Aleman-Putman, Success Coaches were positions created in South Haven Schools during Covid with COVID funding. “My understanding is that at the time of hire, South Haven Public Schools shared with Success Coaches that once funding ran out the positions would be eliminated,” Aleman-Putman said.
The Success Coach position in South Haven Public Schools was part of a statewide Michigan initiative which was tied directly to the Pathways to Potential model created by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Success Coaches began appearing in Michigan schools after 2012 when MDHHS launched Pathways to Potential, a program that places caseworkers (or Success Coaches) inside schools to help students and families overcome barriers to attendance, engagement, and basic needs.
Recently, administrative decisions were made to eliminate some positions. Guthre’s role as Success Coach was one of those positions that has been eliminated.
In the regular School Board meeting, when public comments were allowed, other people got up to speak on Guthrie’s behalf. Speaking first at the podium before the board was Tiffany Cook, a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School.
“I want to take a few moments to talk about the impact, the positive impact, that our success coaches have had on our students, our schools, and our community,” Cook said. “I’ve heard a rumor that all success position, positions will be eliminated throughout all buildings by 2027.”
She went on to say that Success Coaches are much more than another adult in the building. “They are trusted mentors who help students navigate challenges that can interfere with learning,” Cook said. “Whether a student is struggling academically, dealing with attendance issues, facing personal obstacles, or simply needing someone to believe in them, they are there to provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability.”
For many students, Cook added, a Success Coach is the person who notices when they are having a difficult day, who checks in with them, celebrates their achievements, and reminds them that they are capable of succeeding. “Those relationships build confidence, they build resilience, and a stronger connection to school,” she said.
Cook concluded by saying: “While I can speak specifically for Lincoln Elementary School, and I’m sure other buildings will agree, our Success Coaches are the backbones of our school. They help create and foster an environment where every individual is valued, appreciated, and supported. Our Success Coaches are an intricate part of the community within our schools, and it is essential that we maintain their positions.”
Sarah Till, a parent of four South Haven Schools students, also spoke about the impact of Success Coaches.
“Success coaches fill a critical role by helping students overcome those barriers so they can stay engaged, succeed academically, and continue moving forward,” Till said. “I write [sic] to you today as a thankful member of the community, a thankful parent, and now a deeply concerned parent after learning of the release of Mr. Guthrie – known to our students and families simply as Coach Guthrie. As much as I want to put into words the magnitude of the impact this man has had on the lives of our young people, I don’t know what…I don’t know that words can fully do it justice. Coach Guthrie embodies what a success coach should be and then goes far beyond that job description.”
Following the meeting, Sarah Till said that Guthrie has had a huge impact on students and that “Success Coaches in general have been good while the cuts that the school is making will be really hard.”
School Board member Theresa Ruppert said that she didn’t know anything about Guthrie’s position being changed until earlier that day. “But, he has other options,” she said. “It’s just not here at the high school. I think that’s his heart because he loves working with the football team; but he does have other options to stay in the district and still be paid. He just won’t be with the high school.”
Superintendent Aleman-Putman said that the school district was very transparent with Success Coaches.
“Even though the Success Coach at the high school was cut, we’re not reducing any other Success Coaches,” she said. “As always, we don’t know what the budget will look like so it is hard to plan in advance. That is one of the disadvantages of being at the mercy of the state. However, I try very hard to find other positions for staff that have to be displaced or reduced.”
