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Parent alleges discriminatory treatment by softball coach; board removes co‑curricular appointment name
Summary
A Northern Lehigh parent, Dr. Jennifer Wentz, urged the school board to investigate alleged discriminatory treatment of her daughter by a listed potential rehire as varsity softball coach. The board later amended and approved co‑curricular appointments, removing the name Dan Caruso from the slate.
A parent told the Northern Lehigh School District board that her daughter was repeatedly excluded from playing and practice duties and urged the board not to rehire a listed softball coach, then the board amended its co‑curricular appointments to remove one name.
Dr. Jennifer Wentz, who identified herself as a parent and long‑time district resident, said she had raised “a list of 10 things” about her daughter’s treatment by the coach and described multiple instances where her daughter, a development player, did not field during games or practices despite attending regularly. “She was not even fielded to practice,” Wentz said, adding that teammates had to step in to ensure the player got a single at‑bat on senior night.
Wentz said she had raised concerns with the coach, the athletic director and district staff before bringing the matter to the board and asked the board to investigate. “I implore you to consider not to rehire him as a varsity softball coach,” she told the board during the public‑comment period.
Later in the meeting the board considered personnel item G (renewal of co‑curricular appointments). Board member S8 moved to amend item G by removing one name and specifically asked to “remove the name of Dan Caruso.” A second was made by S5. The board voted to adopt the amendment by voice vote, and the chair then called for a voice vote on the amended item G; the board approved the amended slate with the single name removed.
The board did not record a roll‑call vote in the transcript for the amendment; the amendment and the final approval were carried by voice vote. The motion to amend (remove Dan Caruso) was made and seconded on the record during the meeting.
The meeting did not include an on‑the‑record response from the coach named in the amended item at the time the motion passed. The board indicated it will return to executive session after the meeting to follow up on personnel matters. The agenda item as amended was approved; any further investigatory steps were not specified on the record.
The board also approved other personnel items that evening and scheduled a follow‑up executive session on outstanding personnel matters.
