Students petition board to reinstate Salem sprint coach, cite team successes and morale

Several Salem High student-athletes addressed the Plymouth-Canton school board during citizens' comments to ask that the district reinstate their sprint coach or restore him to a sprint-specific role.

Samuel Arribu, identifying himself as a captain of the Salem sprint team, told the board the coach's leadership produced measurable competitive results: "He has produced 8 of the 12 state qualifiers out of the 12 state qualifiers that Salem has," Arribu said, describing it as a school record.

Other students described a shift in team culture under the coach. Owen Manarelli said practices now attract many athletes and "people show up with smiles on their faces excited to be there." A freshman, Owen Pozierak, said the coach helped him through "mental breakdowns" and supported him to set a school freshman record. Multiple speakers said the coach was fired this summer without an adequate explanation and that some athletes have left the program as a result.

Why it matters: students argued the firing affects competitive outcomes and daily participation for a wide set of athletes; they asked the board either to reinstate the coach in a leadership or assistant role or to provide a clear rationale for the personnel decision.

Board response: the remarks were part of the public comment portion of the meeting; trustees acknowledged the comments and said staff would follow up as appropriate. The transcript does not record a formal motion or board action to reinstate the coach.

Sources: Public comments from Salem High students and team captains during the citizens' comment period.