Fulton County Ohio Media

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 Swanton High School softball season, the school administration informed Coach Lauren Yoder that her supplemental contract would not be renewed for the 2027 season.  News of the decision sent shock waves through the community, given the Lady Bulldogs softball team had just finished a record setting season with 22 wins, had broken multiple team and individual school records, and had won an OHSAA Division V Sectional Championship.

The decision to not renew Ms. Yoder’s contract, for what would have been her fifth year as the softball coach, followed an investigation into allegations made into her conduct and behavior and decision making during the season.  A summarized report dated 6/5/26, titled “Updated Administrative Analysis of Alleged Violations” was submitted to the Swanton School Administration with the following list of source documents:  Student interviews, witness statements, coaching staff concerns, and written complaint materials.

It is important to note, as stated in the summary, “This analysis summarizes allegations only and does not constitute factual findings.  All allegations would require formal investigation and corroboration.”

The report concluded with the following statement: “Based upon the totality of the statements, the most substantial and recurring allegation is not sexual misconduct, but rather an alleged boundary-crossing relationship between a coach and a student-athlete that resulted in favoritism, unequal treatment, and disruption of the educational and athletic environment.  Multiple witnesses independently described a pattern of preferential treatment, excessive personal involvement, special communication channels, and coaching decisions influenced by personal relationships.”

At the Swanton Board of Education meeting on August 19^th, members of the public were given the opportunity to comment on the school’s decision not to offer Ms. Yoder a contract for the coming softball season.  The first to speak was Amy Remer, a mother of one of the returning players and the wife of BOE member, Ben Remer.  Ms. Remer, who did not agree with the decision, took exception to the way the investigation was conducted, the effect it had on the players, and the timing of the decision to end the school’s relationship with Ms. Yoder.

“Before the start of the investigation, there were concerns brought forth before the end of the season, as reported by the administration, yet you chose to do nothing about it until after the season ended because the girls were having ‘such a great season and you didn’t want to disrupt that.’ That is very concerning. If the safety of the players was at stake, as evidenced by your investigation report, you should’ve taken action immediately rather than allowing the players to remain in an environment where, per your report, professional boundaries were being violated, emotional manipulation and abuse of authority was taking place, and it was hostile and harmful,” she stated. 

Ms. Remer continued, “After the investigation and informing the softball coach you’d be moving in a different direction, you did nothing to help with the fallout and failed to address the emotional well-being of the players…your own students. No follow up, no conversation, no chance for players to talk to anyone, nothing. You knew darn well that many of these girls adored Lauren as a coach, they told you themselves in their questioning, and they had just come off the most historic season in Swanton softball, yet you made a decision that directly impacted them and did nothing to support them in the aftermath. It seems you may have again failed to follow the Ohio Educator Licensure Code because according to your report, ‘Educators must: promote emotional safety, maintain respect for students, and avoid conduct that harms student welfare.’”

Following Ms. Remer’s remarks, four players spoke, three of which individually praised Coach Yoder for what she had done for them with respect to teaching them the game of softball and encouraging them to believe in themselves in times of self-doubt.  One player gave a statement explaining her experience was more in line with some of the allegations.  The two assistant coaches, Gary Hamrick and Morgan Hamrick, also addressed the Board.  They both said they were friends of Ms. Yoder, having coached with her for several years, but did not always agree with her methods.  They also strongly advocated for all decisions regarding the softball program be made in the best interest of the student-athlete.

Swanton High School principal Anthony Menna was the final speaker.  He gave a statement that read in part:

“Every decision I make may not be popular, but the question I continually ask myself is simple:  What is right for our students and our school?  There is a simple principle that guides me.  What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong.

That standard does not change depending who is involved.  A last name does not matter to me when determining what is right.  A person’s status, popularity, or influence does not change the expectations we have for our students.  Every student who walks through the doors of Swanton High School deserves to be treated fairly, consistently and with dignity.

I will not have one set of expectations for one student and another for someone else.  Fair does not always mean easy, and it does not always mean everyone will agree with the outcome.  Fair means applying our standards consistently and with integrity.  I was hired to make tough decisions and that is exactly what I will continue to do.  My responsibility is to do what ism right for our students and our school.  There are things in leadership on which we can compromise.  Ethics are not one of them.”

Photo: Swanton Board of Education August 2026 meeting