Rejecting recommendations from the Liberty County School System superintendent, the board of education on Tuesday made two significant personnel changes. Contracts were not renewed for Bradwell Institute football coach Jim Walsh Jr. and transportation director Tony Norce, according to Superintendent Dr. Judy Scherer.

The board voted 5-1, with member Marsha Anderson abstaining, to replace Walsh as football coach; however, he will remain in his teaching position at Bradwell unless he decides otherwise. Walsh’s coaching contract is good through the end of the academic year, and he will continue to be paid his supplement through June, but the school system now is searching for a replacement coach, who, if hired in time, will be allowed to run spring practice, Scherer said.

Walsh had been the school system’s athletic director, but was relieved of those duties in November after an administrative decision by Scherer and BI Principal Scott Carrier.

BI Assistant Principal Roland Van Horn was recommended as the replacement AD, but the board rejected the recommendation after deciding an assistant principal shouldn’t receive the financial supplement that is tied to the AD position, Scherer said.

The superintendent and Carrier both recommended keeping Walsh as football coach.   

Scherer also recommended keeping Norce, whose contract was not renewed by the BoE on a 4-3 vote. No official reason was given for his dismissal.

Norce’s contract also is good through the end of the school year.

Read more on this story in Friday's Courier.