Two online petitions have emerged following the Pullman School District’s decision to eliminate the high school athletics and activities director position. The position, previously held by Wendy Kruger, was removed in late April amidst budget challenges, as stated by Superintendent Dr. Bob Maxwell. Kruger had recently received a statewide award for her contributions to the district.

The responsibilities of the athletics and activities director have now been reassigned to a newly created assistant principal position. This decision prompted significant public concern, leading to a Pullman School Board meeting on April 30, where hundreds of residents voiced their opinions. The board ultimately voted 2-2 on the matter, resulting in the decision being upheld, as Trustee Amanda Tanner was absent from the meeting.

One petition calls for the board to reconsider their decision and reinstate Kruger as the athletics and activities director. In the meantime, the new assistant principal/athletics and activities director position has been filled.

A second petition addresses issues of transparency and public access during board meetings. It highlights that the April meeting limited in-person attendance to the number of available chairs, forcing over a hundred attendees to watch from nearby classrooms. The petition seeks clarification on policies regarding meeting access and requests that Board Chair Nathan Roberts ensure that personal comfort levels do not restrict public attendance in the future. It also proposes that the board meet in a larger venue to accommodate community members.

During the contentious April meeting, Chair Roberts reportedly interrupted the audience multiple times for cheering and threatened to end the session, raising concerns about the inconsistency of rules regarding audience behavior. The petition argues that the differential enforcement of rules might convey that dissent is discouraged, while support for the district is welcomed.

The petitions have garnered hundreds of signatures. Links to the online petitions can be found here: [Petition to reinstate Wendy Kruger](https://www.change.org/p/bring-back-wendy-kruger-as-the-phs-athletic-director?recruiter=667145102&recruited_by_id=ad5b4d20-dea9-11e6-877a-9b9adc00feae&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_490591442_en-US%3A3) and [Petition for improved meeting policies](https://www.change.org/p/change-demanded-in-pullman-school-board-open-meeting-and-decorum-policies?source_location=search).