GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — The Green Bay school district issued an ultimatum to embattled East High football coach Niko Sila on Thursday: resign in the next seven days or be fired.
That's according to a statement from the district issued Thursday afternoon, exactly two weeks after Sila was placed on administrative leave.
Sila was given the ultimatum by district leaders Thursday. Sources close to Sila described him as "shell-shocked" by the news.
Stephanie Ortiz was in the meeting with Sila. Ortiz says she and Sila had expected the meeting to be a conversation regarding allegations made against Sila's conduct.
"That was not the case," explained Ortiz. "They closed their investigation before they told us they closed their investigation."
If Sila chooses to not resign, his termination would need approval by the Board of Education. The next scheduled meeting is 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Sila was placed on leave on Oct. 17. No reasons for the move have been disclosed by the district.
Ortiz says dozens of allegations against Sila include themes of undermining school staff and administration, violations of professional policy when interacting with students—and, most recently, during the investigation—violating a no-contact order with East High students.
The school district says there's more.
In part, the district has said: "Mr. Sila and his representatives have shared with the media an incomplete accounting of the allegations."
At this time, the district cannot legally comment on its findings, but a full report of Sila's violations will be made available at a later date.
Watch the full story by Jessica Goska here:
Ortiz says her "biggest frustration" in communication with the district has been the administration's inattention to the outcry from the community.
"The message that the district is sending right now is 'We don't care about our students,'" claimed Ortiz.
In the weeks since he was put on leave, Sila has enjoyed an outpouring of support from players, parents and community members, many of whom called for his reinstatement. You can watch Green Bay neighborhood reporter Jessica Goska's story on that below. The story initially aired on October 23.
Sila declined an interview with NBC 26 following the Thursday afternoon meeting. He said he needs time to let the news "sink in."
Regardless of Sila's involvement with the school district going forward, Ortiz says he'll remain a fixture in the community.
"Even if this doesn't go our way, and he doesn't end up in his role at the district, I think that the community is going to see Niko thrive," Ortiz stated. "One way or another."
