Parents and coaches urge Hazel Park board to reconsider coaching hires; say social-media disputes and personnel decisions are harming programs

Parents, assistant coaches and program volunteers used public comment at the Hazel Park Board of Education meeting Jan. 27 to urge the board and district administrators to reconsider recent coaching decisions and to address what they described as destructive social-media activity and adult conflicts harming students.

Don McGinnis, who identified himself as a wrestling coach and longtime volunteer, told the board that he has considered leaving the city and pulling his children from district activities because “everything that I keep bringing up ... keeps getting swept under the rug.” He and other speakers said adult disputes—often played out on social media—are creating a hostile environment for athletes and volunteers.

Caitlin McGinnis, who said she attended a meeting with district staff members about a specific candidate for the junior-high wrestling-coach position, told the board the district had previously assured parents that that person would not be hired. McGinnis said the promise was rescinded and that the hire will harm the feeder…