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Dozens of Wantagh parents, alumni demand answer after longtime coach removed from middle school role
Summary
Dozens of parents, alumni and former players told the Wantagh Union Free School District board on March 20 that longtime coach John Chifo should be reinstated or the district should explain why he was removed from the middle school lacrosse coaching position after a 42‑year career.
Dozens of parents, alumni and former players pressed the Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education on March 20 to explain why longtime coach John Chifo is no longer the boys’ middle school lacrosse coach and urged the board to reinstate him.
The comments came during the public‑comment portion of the board’s March 20 meeting at Wantagh High School. Speakers described Chifo’s four decades in the district and tied his removal to a loss for students and the broader Wantagh lacrosse tradition.
Many speakers framed their remarks around Chifo’s tenure and influence. Rich McKeel, a Wantagh resident, said the coach was “simply just told, it’s just time” and that neither Chifo nor program leaders were given reasons for the change. McKeel said community members had launched a petition “I…
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