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‘I was blindsided’: Former Topsail basketball coach, bus driver speaks out after sudden firing

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‘I was blindsided’: Former Topsail basketball coach, bus driver speaks out after sudden firing

Another Topsail High School coach has been removed from his position as Melvin London, who students and parents knew as coach June, was fired Wednesday, Pender County Schools confirmed.

London, who has coached youth sports for more than three decades, became the varsity boys basketball coach at the school in 2023 but has spent 12 years at Topsail, all of which included his role as a bus driver.

“I have given and given and given to Topsail,” London, who is a Topsail alumnus, said. “I’ve never refused anything in almost 13 years.”

As the school year officially started on Aug. 26, the 53-year-old says he was assigned a different, older bus to drive, one that didn’t meet his safety standards.

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“That line of bus, they’re known to have issues,” he said. “They have the most problems out of all the buses we have.”

London says he contacted Pender County’s Transportation Services to voice his concerns. Days later, he received a call from Pender County Superintendent Brad Breedlove informing him of his dismissal as both a bus driver and coach.

“I was blindsided,” London said of his termination. “It was totally unprofessional, in my opinion, how things were done. I wasn’t treated like I was an employee, I was treated like an outsider.”

In a statement Thursday, Pender County Schools confirmed that London was fired and said that the bus in question met all safety regulations for the 2024-25 school year.

“We want to assure our community that all school buses in our district meet the safety standards set by the state,” the statement reads. “The bus in question has passed all state-required inspections leading up to the 2024-25 school year and continues to undergo inspections every 30 days, as mandated by state regulations.”

The school district declined to comment on the reason for London’s dismissal. The move comes after a slew of firings and mishaps involving Topsail coaches in the last two years, including the dismissal of wrestling coach Pete Smith in March and softball coach Eric Phillips in 2023.

Parents and community members started a petition to reinstate London. The petition details how much the coach meant to the community and has gained nearly 900 signatures in two days.

“For over 12 years, Coach June/Mr. London has been a cherished part of Pender County community,” the petition posted on Change.org reads. “He has not only fulfilled his duties faithfully but also taken extra steps to care for our children’s wellbeing.”

Despite the low pay and shortage of staff, London says bus driving was a calling.

“I had great bus drivers growing up, so I just wanted to be that person and help give back and do anything positive that I can to the young people in the community,” he said. “I enjoyed driving the bus, and that’s why I did it.”

London, who owns and operates JRs Barber Shop in Hampstead, says finding an amicable resolution to his concerns with bus driving was always the priority. His abrupt firing, however, still leaves the Hampstead resident scratching his head.

“We are underpaid, and we are thought of the least,” he said of bus drivers. “We’re the first thing (Kids) see coming in, and the last thing they see going out, and we represent the schools.”

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