The Highland School Board announced this week that it has terminated the contracts of two veteran baseball coaches, Allen Rath and Jarrod Longbine, marking the end of a chapter for the district’s baseball program.
Coaching Legacy and Team Performance
Allen Rath, a former pitcher who earned Major League Draft selections from the Cincinnati Reds in 1986 and the California Angels in 1989, transitioned to coaching after stints at the University of Iowa and several high schools. His most recent Highland teams posted winning records, and his tenure began in 2024, culminating in a 13‑12 season that fell in the second round of the Iowa 1A district tournament.
Jarrod Longbine, who served simultaneously as an assistant coach and as a member of the school board, had spent roughly two decades in baseball instruction. The board’s notice of non‑renewal was delivered by Activities Director Jody Fink, who declined to comment when approached by The News.
Board Evaluation Policy
The board’s rationale hinges on a narrow evaluation framework that currently applies only to the superintendent position, held by Spencer Lueders. Board President Nate Robinson explained that no systematic review process exists for athletic coaches or non‑teacher staff, a gap that Longbine highlighted as a source of frustration.
Community reaction has been mixed. While some parents praised the coaches for stabilizing the program, others expressed disappointment that a winning record did not shield the staff from dismissal. The board has not yet released a timeline for appointing replacements, leaving the future of the Highland Huskies’ baseball roster uncertain.
Looking Ahead
Without a formal performance review system, the board may continue to make personnel decisions based on ad‑hoc considerations. The lack of transparent criteria raises questions about future coaching stability and the district’s broader approach to evaluating extracurricular programs.