Former Glendale assistant coach Ben Mauk sues SPS claiming wrongful termination
A former assistant football coach at Glendale High School filed a lawsuit against Springfield Public Schools alleging wrongful termination.
Ben Mauk, now the head football coach for Monett High School, also alleged the Springfield district failed to follow its own school policy by retaliating against him for separate reports of age discrimination and racial discrimination.
He is seeking back pay, loss of benefits, legal fees and punitive damages. No amount was specified.
The district referenced Ben Mauk's lawsuit filed Sept. 13 — and a separate one filed in 2021 by Mauk's father, Mike Mauk — when asked for a response.
“Continued legal action by the Mauk family is without merit. It is unfortunate that the facts are being misconstrued to seek financial gain, especially against a public entity serving children," said Stephen Hall, chief communications officer for SPS.
"We remain confident that our staff have, at all times, acted appropriately, lawfully and consistent with Board of Education policies and law. The district will continue to defend itself against frivolous legal action.”
In the new suit, Ben Mauk said he "voiced opposition and was a witness to age discrimination" against an employee.
His father Mike Mauk was head football coach at Glendale when he departed the district shortly before the start of the school year in 2023.
In 2021, Mike Mauk sued the district claiming age discrimination stemming from the way he was punished after being thrown out of a 2019 playoff game.
Mike Mauk was ejected from the game, a state quarterfinal loss to Carthage, after arguing with referees. The case has not yet been resolved.
Ben Mauk, who also departed the district a year ago, said he felt compelled as an "indirect witness" to report racial discrimination and retaliation against a student athlete in July 2023.
Under policy AC, employees who fail to report such actions can be disciplined, even fired. The policy requires the district to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of such reports.
The student athlete was Kylan Mabins, who has since graduated and is now playing at the college level. In spring 2023, Mabins transferred from Kickapoo High School — where he was a starter — to Glendale, where the Mauks coached.
Following the transfer, questions about Mabins' eligibility to play football plagued his senior year. Ruled ineligible to play by the Missouri State High School Activities Association, his family took legal action to get him back on the field. A state appeals court sided with the family when SPS and MSHSAA tried multiple times to prevent Mabins from playing.
More: MO appeals court denies second attempt this week to bench Glendale's Kylan Mabins
Mabins cited hardship reasons when he transferred to Glendale in March 2023. His parents, Sean and Darline Mabins, argued their son was exposed to racial discrimination and a toxic environment at Kickapoo.
In the suit, Ben Mauk said he was fired Aug. 14, 2023 and, at that time, the district had not yet complied with its own policy to investigate the reports of discrimination and retaliation against the student.
Ben Mauk initially took his concerns to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. The administrative body, operating under the state’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, plays a critical role in vetting allegations of discrimination. It investigated and issued a "right to sue" letter.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Former Glendale coach Ben Mauk sues SPS saying he was wrongfully fired
