2024 in review: Former PEM coach Ben Peter still hopes to regain his position ahead of the softball season

PLAINVIEW, Minn. — Former Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School softball coach Ben Peter has so far been unable to convince the district to hire him back but is considering legal options to regain a position he believes was unjustly denied.

The district’s School Board voted in October not to renew Peter’s contract following allegations that he acted unprofessionally around athletes. The decision was controversial, prompting numerous parents, students and other coaches within the community to come to his defense.

“Despite support from the current players, admin and the majority of our softball community, we are still without coaches,” Peter said on Wednesday, Dec. 18. “It’s truly heartbreaking.”

The district will be hosting interviews for the softball coaching staff positions following the holidays. Peter said he has applied for the position he used to hold but has been told he won’t receive an interview.

Peter also said he had a closed meeting with the School Board, but that he wasn’t given an opportunity to improve on anything and that none of his questions were answered.

Superintendent Erick Enger declined to comment on Peter’s application for the position or on the closed meeting. However, he did confirm that a closed meeting took place regarding the issue in October.

Peter says he has gained legal representation because of the matter. He went on to say that he's waiting until after the district hires a new coach to file any complaints.

“Until the position is filled, I am hoping our school board takes the recommendations from the community and rehires me,” Peter said. “Even if I’m rehired, a lawsuit isn’t out of the picture for what my family has been put through.”

Softball practice begins in March. The first game for Plainview-Elgin-Millville will be held on April 4 against Wabasha-Kellogg.

Some members of the softball team have signed a petition to restore Peter to his former position for the upcoming season. It included the signatures of 15 athletes and two managers.

“We feel last years’ seniors, volunteer assistant coach and a player who has now transferred have given him a bad name,” the petition reads in part. “We have spoken at school board meetings and have emailed multiple times asking you to renew Coach Peter’s contract. We won’t give up.”

Following the district's decision in October, Enger confirmed that the remaining softball coaches on the district's teaching staff resigned from their positions as well.

Peter had been softball coach at the school for more than 20 years by the time the school board voted on his contract in October.

The decision, which came down to a split vote, came after the district sent him a disciplinary letter in July, stating that he had “engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional conduct that reflected poor judgment.” It outlined a number of instances where Peter’s behavior were deemed to be inappropriate.

The letter went on to outline five directives for Peter to follow, which were redacted in a copy of the letter that the district provided to the Post Bulletin.