ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Less than a day after an interim leadership team was established following a principal resignation, Alleman High School is now searching for a new athletic director.
Former director Grant Iles submitted a letter of resignation Tuesday morning, Dec. 14, explaining that his "values" were not shared with the school or community.
"It is critical that an organization and its employees share the same goals and vision," Iles said in the letter. "It became clear that my values are not in alignment with those of this school, community and the Office of Catholic Schools."
He said that he received blame for school issues that Iles believes have been going on for years, but his suggestions for change were not considered.
"I refuse to be made into a scapegoat for the decades of dysfunction and disorder that has been ignored," Iles said. "Progressive change to address the abysmal culture and climate has not only been met with resistance but with an outright refusal to accept the objective views of those outside of the faction."
Iles served as Alleman's athletic director for the last 18 months. During his tenure, the school has seen a head-coaching change in 12 of 18 varsity sports, with the boys basketball program having two coaching changes in that span.
In his letter, Iles alleged he received "numerous anonymous notes of hate and threats" in his school mailbox from fellow colleagues.
"I am stating that this school and its culture of hate is not a healthy fit for me," Iles said. "There is an unwelcoming culture for any non-Alleman person. Alleman does not want non-Alleman people."
Iles also said his goal to place a high priority on student and staff diversity was "met and exceeded" in his time at Alleman.
"It was rewarding to lead a coaching staff that believes one person is never bigger than the team … (and) a determined effort to celebrate equity across all sports, not just a few, was obvious," Iles said. "My goal to bring this school out of the stone ages was showing progress."
Iles' full resignation letter can be found here.
The search for the school's next athletic director remained underway as of Tuesday. Iles' departure came less than a week after Principal Sara Stroud announced her resignation on Friday, Dec. 10.
Alleman announced it would implement an interim administrative team for the remainder of the 2021-22 academic year on Monday, Dec. 13.
The mass exodus comes after the school's enrollment decreased significantly since 2018. The downward trend took a steep dive this school year, with just 292 students were enrolled, a 24% drop from the previous year.