Penn coach’s employment status under review following arrest

MISHAWAKA — A Penn High School coach and Schmucker Middle School program assistant was not in school today after being arrested over the weekend in connection with damage to his former girlfriend’s home. His teaching status probably will be determined Tuesday. Ryan Randolph is a freshman football coach and assistant boy’s track coach. Neither sport is in season now, so he would not be coaching at this time. Even though he works in a P-H-M school, Randolph teaches in the Joint Services for Special Education program and is technically an employee of School City of Mishawaka. Gregg Hixenbaugh, director of human resources and relations for School City of Mishawaka, said Randolph chose not to go to school Monday on his own. Hixenbaugh was trying to set up an appointment with him as soon as possible on Tuesday. "We will follow up promptly," Hixenbaugh said. "We will reach a decision on his employment status as early as tomorrow (Tuesday)." Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Jerry Thacker issued a statement that said: "At Penn High School and throughout our Penn-Harris-Madison schools, we have a very high standard of conduct that we expect from our coaches. We will investigate the facts involved in this incident and make a decision as to whether or not the individual meets those high standards." St. Joseph County Police Sgt. Bill Redman said police were called to a home on Barberry Drive in Osceola shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday. They found that somebody has broken a basement window and slashed three tires on a car belonging to the homeowner’s boyfriend. He said police tracked Randolph, the homeowners former boyfriend, who admitted to the vandalism. He was arrested and booked into the county jail on suspicion of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. He bonded out later Sunday and is to appear in court at a later date. Staff writer Sue Lowe: slowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 247-7758