Richmond-Burton High School retains former AD, football coach Elder as dean

Former Richmond-Burton athletic director and football coach Pat Elder will remain with School District 157 as the dean of students next year.

Elder’s hiring for the new position was approved by the District 157 board during its meeting last month. He had served as AD and football coach since the 2006-07 school year, but he is facing a felony charge in connection with driving under the influence last summer and was replaced as coach for the 2017 season.

In a February board meeting, more than 50 people spoke on Elder’s behalf asking that he be brought back as football coach. The board voted, 4-3, not to have Elder return.

Kristi Martin, who worked as dean for the 2017-18 school year, will take over as AD. Elder will resume responsibilities as dean July 1.

“We don’t really talk about what goes into a hiring process, but his skill set matched what we need in the dean’s position, so it was a nice fit,” R-B Principal Patrick Enright said.