Kevin Langs submits resignation letter
By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax-Scotts Board of Education issued a statement regarding the over 12-week investigation into C-S varsity football coach, Dean of Students and Athletic Director Tyler Langs at the regular board meeting Monday, but the statement also noted the local school district has received a letter of resignation from longtime teacher and coach Kevin Langs.
Tyler Langs, the son of Kevin Langs, learned before the varsity football team played at Pittsford October 24, he had been placed on paid administrative leave according to the school district’s Superintendent for complaints regarding the current football coach. During this investigation Langs remained on paid administrative leave from his employment within the district in all capacities.
A special investigation conducted by an attorney from the law firm that represents the school district, Thrun Law Firm PC, has taken place and more than 12 weeks have passed without an answer.
A special school board meeting on January 12 drew large crowds with many offering support for Tyler Langs, while others talked about concerns and frustrations they have encountered with the football coach, dean of students and athletic director. The January 19 school board meeting also drew 60-70 people, with many supporting Tyler Langs and having concerns how the investigation process went.
The school board’s statement started out with an introduction, noting the school board wanted to respond to community comments and inquiries regarding recent personnel issues the administration has been working through and that the process was triggered solely by multiple complaints from students and parents who were concerned about the conduct of Tyler Langs.
The statement focused on playing time, anonymous complaints, complaints and the independent investigation timeline and Kevin Langs’ letter of resignation.
Kevin Langs was hired in the C-S School District as a teacher and varsity football coach in 1999. He later became the athletic director and dean of students.
The statement from the school district notes on December 5, 2025, Superintendent Doug Newington received a written letter of resignation from Kevin Langs, the current Career Education teacher, advanced physical education (strength and conditioning), power lifting coach, varsity baseball coach and assistant varsity football coach.
The statement adds Kevin Langs did not provide an effective date but indicated that the Superintendent or Board of Education could determine when his resignation would become effective. The school district’s statement adds out of respect to Kevin Langs, the superintendent did not act on the resignation until after the holiday break. The school district said Langs could have withdrawn his resignation at any time between Dec 5th and Jan 15th (41 days).
The school district’s statement adds because there was no obvious action from Langs to rescind the resignation letter, Newington accepted the letter of resignation effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
However Langs told the Climax Crescent after the school board meeting he may request his resignation become effective sooner than the end of the school year.
In his resignation letter to Newington, Kevin Langs notes in 1999, then superintendent the late Dr. Geoffrey Balkam and the school board recognized the school district needed to develop a culture to change the perception of the school district and meet the needs of all students. That culture became known as the “Climax-Scotts Way” where students were not solely defined by the score on a standardized test and that the “haves” and “have nots” are both afforded an opportunity to be successful by learning to fight to make the tough right choices over the easy wrong ones.
Kevin Langs, Tyler’s father, adds in his resignation letter dated December 5, 2025, over the last several years special interest groups have used their influence to change the “Climax-Scotts Way” to their own “way,” which has been demonstrated by this most recent 6+ week investigation of our varsity football coach. Langs adds in his letter, “I cannot be a part of this new cultural movement.”
At a January 12 special meeting, the board planned to move into closed session for attorney-client communication following a lengthy public forum. However before the board went into closed session board member Trent Piper requested two items be added to the agenda when the board came out of closed session. He requested career coordinator (Kevin Langs’ current position) and teacher employment status be added to the agenda. Piper also requested head football coach, Dean of Students, and athletic director employment status be added. The two items were added to the agenda by a 4-3 margin (Sue Reichert, Jackie Longman, and Matt Birkam voted no) however the board unanimously removed the two items after the board came out of closed session.
Kevin Langs feels the attempt to put the item about his job on the agenda was to allow the board an opportunity to consider accepting his letter of resignation, catching the veteran coach and teacher as well as many in the audience by surprise.
The Crescent reached out to C-S Superintendent Doug Newington offering an explanation but did not receive a response before a copy deadline January 20.
“That special interest group who has changed our culture, they have every right to put in the new strength coach, the new career coordinator. What Trent Piper did, he had every legal right to do. The question is, is it the right way to do it, without talking to me? Without trying to do it the way they did it and sneaking it in seconds before that. But legally, it’s o.k. The question is, with integrity, is it right,” said Kevin Langs.
Tyler Langs said Newington offered him an opportunity to remain with the school district as Dean of Students if he resigned as varsity football coach and athletic director.
The Crescent also reached out to Newington to confirm this but did not receive a response before copy deadline January 20.
Tyler said he has not made an official decision but has secured an attorney and will consider his options.
Tyer Langs said it would be difficult for him to return considering the board’s initial surprise decision to add to the agenda an item to discuss his father’s teaching status at the special school board meeting January 12 only to remove the item as well as Tyler’s employment status as head football coach, dean of students and athletic director when the school board came out of closed session.
“The thing that’s hurt the most about this entire thing, is the way they have treated dad. The way this has ended for dad, who has literarily put the last 30 years of his life into the school, it’s not right,” said Tyler Langs.
Besides the introduction and separate note regarding Kevin Langs’ letter of resignation, the Board of Education’s statement focused on 3 categories.
Playing Time
The statement issued by the school board notes there has been much speculation that this matter revolves around playing time (or lack thereof) for certain student athletes. It has been verified that none of the issues brought to the attention of the C-S Administration, Board of Education, or to the investigator involved the issue of playing time. Several of the student athletes who submitted complaints started and/or played a great deal for their respective teams and several complainants claimed that athletes who received the most playing time were treated poorly.
Anonymous Complaints
The board’s statement adds names and identities of all students and parents interviewed in the 40-page investigation report are known to both the C-S Administration and the investigator. These individuals were contacted by the investigator and statements were taken, in detail, from all cooperating parties investigated. All parties interviewed were given the option of remaining anonymous for purposes of the final report. Certain parties accepted the offer as they stated a fear of retaliation for forwarding any complaints about Mr. Langs’ behavior towards them and others. Many complainants also maintained that they confronted Tyler Langs regarding their concerns but he was nonresponsive or hostile to their attempt to discuss the matter, which triggered their contact with the administration.
Complaints and Investigation Timeline
On or about October 21, 2025, the superintendent contacted legal counsel to discuss mounting complaints from parents and students concerning Football Coach, Athletic Director, and Dean of Students Tyler Langs. A third-party investigator was retained to interview witnesses and review evidence. The investigator interviewed witnesses (multiple students and parents). Many additional individuals were interviewed, contacted by phone, or emailed their concerns directly to the investigator.
From on or about October 21, 2025, to November 18, 2025, (29 days) Mr. Langs refused to meet with the investigator to discuss the allegations. This refusal delayed the fact-finding process.
On November 18, 2025, the investigator emailed Mr. Langs a targeted set of specific questions—a snapshot of allegations from the report—to provide him an opportunity to respond. These were not all the allegations, just a few selected for his input. Mr. Langs submitted written responses on November 24, 2025, 7 days after receiving the questions.
The independent investigation report was submitted to the Board on December 8, 2025. Based on a preponderance of the evidence collected and reviewed, and as described in the Investigation Report, the investigator made the following findings:
1. The complainants were credible and their reports were consistent;
2. Tyler Langs was not credible in his written submission; the investigator perceived that he was deliberately avoiding the actual allegations;
3. In his role as football coach, Tyler Langs has engaged in conduct and speech over a period of at least three years that violates Board Policy 4201, has negatively impacted students, created a toxic environment, and cast aspersion on the District;
4. In his role as athletic director, Tyler Langs has not communicated promptly and appropriately with students, parents, or the community;
5. In his role as athletic director, Tyler Langs has not conducted himself in accord with Board Policy 4201;
6. As Tyler Langs is coach, athletic director, and dean of students, there is no oversight of his conduct in any of these roles;
7. As Tyler Langs is coach and athletic director, he does not answer to anyone for his coaching conduct and parents do not have a district employee with whom they can discuss problems;
8. The employment of Langs as coach, athletic director, and dean of students gives the appearance of nepotism, including favoritism, to the detriment of the district.
The investigator did not make a recommendation of any specific action by the board, which is what the board would be required to decide consistent with board policy.
On December 9, 2025, the district’s attorney reached out to Mr. Langs’ attorney to try to reach an amicable resolution. Mr. Langs was fully aware of the complaints and alleged policy violations against him.
At Mr. Langs’ attorney’s request, on December 13, 2025, the district provided a 3-page detailed document stating the allegations and policy violations. Mr. Langs did not respond to this document. On December 22, 2025, 10 days later, Mr. Langs’ attorney stated that Mr. Langs was not interested in further discussion with the administration and that he stood by his previous written answers.
Last week, January 16th, 2026 (26 days) the Superintendent again reached out to Mr. Langs to discuss the matter and try to reach an amicable agreement that would maintain his employment with the district as dean of students. Mr. Langs is in possession of a contract to continue his employment for the 2026-27 school year. The district is awaiting his response.
The Langs family claims Tyler has not had an evaluation in his five years as an athletic director or in his role as varsity football coach with the C-S School District and feels if the school district received any concerns and complaints they should have been addressed in an evaluation. Tyler has had a performance evaluation as dean of students.
Kevin Langs said after the January 19 meeting he acknowledges Newington had to start the investigation but he strongly feels the investigation was board driven.
Kevin Langs also felt the board’s statement noting Tyler did not respond to the district’s 3-page detailed document with the allegations and policy violations, was not true.
“In their very first communication, she (the investigating attorney) said if you would like to do it with written questions, you can do it. Tyler talked to (Langs’ former attorney Brad Johnson), they tried to set up a Zoom, it doesn’t work out. So then he goes back to her. He said originally he asked if (the attorney) could send the questions to him (Tyler). So she did, and he sent it (his answers to the 8 questions) back,” said Kevin Langs.
Tyler Langs was represented by Brad Johnson up until recently when Johnson stepped away because public education law is not his specialty.
Tyler Langs became co-head varsity football coach at C-S with his father, in 2021. He assumed the role as head coach in 2022.
Tyler was named athletic director and dean of students at C-S beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.
The Climax-Scotts Board of Education issued a statement regarding the over 12-week investigation into C-S varsity football coach, Dean of Students and Athletic Director Tyler Langs at the regular board meeting Monday, but the statement also noted the local school district has received a letter of resignation from longtime teacher and coach Kevin Langs.
Tyler Langs, the son of Kevin Langs, learned before the varsity football team played at Pittsford October 24, he had been placed on paid administrative leave according to the school district’s Superintendent for complaints regarding the current football coach. During this investigation Langs remained on paid administrative leave from his employment within the district in all capacities.
A special investigation conducted by an attorney from the law firm that represents the school district, Thrun Law Firm PC, has taken place and more than 12 weeks have passed without an answer.
A special school board meeting on January 12 drew large crowds with many offering support for Tyler Langs, while others talked about concerns and frustrations they have encountered with the football coach, dean of students and athletic director. The January 19 school board meeting also drew 60-70 people, with many supporting Tyler Langs and having concerns how the investigation process went.
The school board’s statement started out with an introduction, noting the school board wanted to respond to community comments and inquiries regarding recent personnel issues the administration has been working through and that the process was triggered solely by multiple complaints from students and parents who were concerned about the conduct of Tyler Langs.
The statement focused on playing time, anonymous complaints, complaints and the independent investigation timeline and Kevin Langs’ letter of resignation.
Kevin Langs was hired in the C-S School District as a teacher and varsity football coach in 1999. He later became the athletic director and dean of students.
The statement from the school district notes on December 5, 2025, Superintendent Doug Newington received a written letter of resignation from Kevin Langs, the current Career Education teacher, advanced physical education (strength and conditioning), power lifting coach, varsity baseball coach and assistant varsity football coach.
The statement adds Kevin Langs did not provide an effective date but indicated that the Superintendent or Board of Education could determine when his resignation would become effective. The school district’s statement adds out of respect to Kevin Langs, the superintendent did not act on the resignation until after the holiday break. The school district said Langs could have withdrawn his resignation at any time between Dec 5th and Jan 15th (41 days).
The school district’s statement adds because there was no obvious action from Langs to rescind the resignation letter, Newington accepted the letter of resignation effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
However Langs told the Climax Crescent after the school board meeting he may request his resignation become effective sooner than the end of the school year.
In his resignation letter to Newington, Kevin Langs notes in 1999, then superintendent the late Dr. Geoffrey Balkam and the school board recognized the school district needed to develop a culture to change the perception of the school district and meet the needs of all students. That culture became known as the “Climax-Scotts Way” where students were not solely defined by the score on a standardized test and that the “haves” and “have nots” are both afforded an opportunity to be successful by learning to fight to make the tough right choices over the easy wrong ones.
Kevin Langs, Tyler’s father, adds in his resignation letter dated December 5, 2025, over the last several years special interest groups have used their influence to change the “Climax-Scotts Way” to their own “way,” which has been demonstrated by this most recent 6+ week investigation of our varsity football coach. Langs adds in his letter, “I cannot be a part of this new cultural movement.”
At a January 12 special meeting, the board planned to move into closed session for attorney-client communication following a lengthy public forum. However before the board went into closed session board member Trent Piper requested two items be added to the agenda when the board came out of closed session. He requested career coordinator (Kevin Langs’ current position) and teacher employment status be added to the agenda. Piper also requested head football coach, Dean of Students, and athletic director employment status be added. The two items were added to the agenda by a 4-3 margin (Sue Reichert, Jackie Longman, and Matt Birkam voted no) however the board unanimously removed the two items after the board came out of closed session.
Kevin Langs feels the attempt to put the item about his job on the agenda was to allow the board an opportunity to consider accepting his letter of resignation, catching the veteran coach and teacher as well as many in the audience by surprise.
The Crescent reached out to C-S Superintendent Doug Newington offering an explanation but did not receive a response before a copy deadline January 20.
“That special interest group who has changed our culture, they have every right to put in the new strength coach, the new career coordinator. What Trent Piper did, he had every legal right to do. The question is, is it the right way to do it, without talking to me? Without trying to do it the way they did it and sneaking it in seconds before that. But legally, it’s o.k. The question is, with integrity, is it right,” said Kevin Langs.
Tyler Langs said Newington offered him an opportunity to remain with the school district as Dean of Students if he resigned as varsity football coach and athletic director.
The Crescent also reached out to Newington to confirm this but did not receive a response before copy deadline January 20.
Tyler said he has not made an official decision but has secured an attorney and will consider his options.
Tyer Langs said it would be difficult for him to return considering the board’s initial surprise decision to add to the agenda an item to discuss his father’s teaching status at the special school board meeting January 12 only to remove the item as well as Tyler’s employment status as head football coach, dean of students and athletic director when the school board came out of closed session.
“The thing that’s hurt the most about this entire thing, is the way they have treated dad. The way this has ended for dad, who has literarily put the last 30 years of his life into the school, it’s not right,” said Tyler Langs.
Besides the introduction and separate note regarding Kevin Langs’ letter of resignation, the Board of Education’s statement focused on 3 categories.
Playing Time
The statement issued by the school board notes there has been much speculation that this matter revolves around playing time (or lack thereof) for certain student athletes. It has been verified that none of the issues brought to the attention of the C-S Administration, Board of Education, or to the investigator involved the issue of playing time. Several of the student athletes who submitted complaints started and/or played a great deal for their respective teams and several complainants claimed that athletes who received the most playing time were treated poorly.
Anonymous Complaints
The board’s statement adds names and identities of all students and parents interviewed in the 40-page investigation report are known to both the C-S Administration and the investigator. These individuals were contacted by the investigator and statements were taken, in detail, from all cooperating parties investigated. All parties interviewed were given the option of remaining anonymous for purposes of the final report. Certain parties accepted the offer as they stated a fear of retaliation for forwarding any complaints about Mr. Langs’ behavior towards them and others. Many complainants also maintained that they confronted Tyler Langs regarding their concerns but he was nonresponsive or hostile to their attempt to discuss the matter, which triggered their contact with the administration.
Complaints and Investigation Timeline
On or about October 21, 2025, the superintendent contacted legal counsel to discuss mounting complaints from parents and students concerning Football Coach, Athletic Director, and Dean of Students Tyler Langs. A third-party investigator was retained to interview witnesses and review evidence. The investigator interviewed witnesses (multiple students and parents). Many additional individuals were interviewed, contacted by phone, or emailed their concerns directly to the investigator.
From on or about October 21, 2025, to November 18, 2025, (29 days) Mr. Langs refused to meet with the investigator to discuss the allegations. This refusal delayed the fact-finding process.
On November 18, 2025, the investigator emailed Mr. Langs a targeted set of specific questions—a snapshot of allegations from the report—to provide him an opportunity to respond. These were not all the allegations, just a few selected for his input. Mr. Langs submitted written responses on November 24, 2025, 7 days after receiving the questions.
The independent investigation report was submitted to the Board on December 8, 2025. Based on a preponderance of the evidence collected and reviewed, and as described in the Investigation Report, the investigator made the following findings:
1. The complainants were credible and their reports were consistent;
2. Tyler Langs was not credible in his written submission; the investigator perceived that he was deliberately avoiding the actual allegations;
3. In his role as football coach, Tyler Langs has engaged in conduct and speech over a period of at least three years that violates Board Policy 4201, has negatively impacted students, created a toxic environment, and cast aspersion on the District;
4. In his role as athletic director, Tyler Langs has not communicated promptly and appropriately with students, parents, or the community;
5. In his role as athletic director, Tyler Langs has not conducted himself in accord with Board Policy 4201;
6. As Tyler Langs is coach, athletic director, and dean of students, there is no oversight of his conduct in any of these roles;
7. As Tyler Langs is coach and athletic director, he does not answer to anyone for his coaching conduct and parents do not have a district employee with whom they can discuss problems;
8. The employment of Langs as coach, athletic director, and dean of students gives the appearance of nepotism, including favoritism, to the detriment of the district.
The investigator did not make a recommendation of any specific action by the board, which is what the board would be required to decide consistent with board policy.
On December 9, 2025, the district’s attorney reached out to Mr. Langs’ attorney to try to reach an amicable resolution. Mr. Langs was fully aware of the complaints and alleged policy violations against him.
At Mr. Langs’ attorney’s request, on December 13, 2025, the district provided a 3-page detailed document stating the allegations and policy violations. Mr. Langs did not respond to this document. On December 22, 2025, 10 days later, Mr. Langs’ attorney stated that Mr. Langs was not interested in further discussion with the administration and that he stood by his previous written answers.
Last week, January 16th, 2026 (26 days) the Superintendent again reached out to Mr. Langs to discuss the matter and try to reach an amicable agreement that would maintain his employment with the district as dean of students. Mr. Langs is in possession of a contract to continue his employment for the 2026-27 school year. The district is awaiting his response.
The Langs family claims Tyler has not had an evaluation in his five years as an athletic director or in his role as varsity football coach with the C-S School District and feels if the school district received any concerns and complaints they should have been addressed in an evaluation. Tyler has had a performance evaluation as dean of students.
Kevin Langs said after the January 19 meeting he acknowledges Newington had to start the investigation but he strongly feels the investigation was board driven.
Kevin Langs also felt the board’s statement noting Tyler did not respond to the district’s 3-page detailed document with the allegations and policy violations, was not true.
“In their very first communication, she (the investigating attorney) said if you would like to do it with written questions, you can do it. Tyler talked to (Langs’ former attorney Brad Johnson), they tried to set up a Zoom, it doesn’t work out. So then he goes back to her. He said originally he asked if (the attorney) could send the questions to him (Tyler). So she did, and he sent it (his answers to the 8 questions) back,” said Kevin Langs.
Tyler Langs was represented by Brad Johnson up until recently when Johnson stepped away because public education law is not his specialty.
Tyler Langs became co-head varsity football coach at C-S with his father, in 2021. He assumed the role as head coach in 2022.
Tyler was named athletic director and dean of students at C-S beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
