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Parents urge answers after student injury and question high-school coach hire at Franklin Township board meeting
Summary
At the Feb. 26 meeting, a parent with a son injured at school said he had received no district response; other community speakers criticized the high-school baseball hiring process and urged more transparency. The superintendent detailed the standard application, panel interview and recommendation process for coaching hires.
During the public-comment period, multiple residents raised concerns about student safety and hiring transparency.
Joseph Rudolph (speaker 21) said his son was injured on district property and that he had "not got any answers from the board" despite appearing before the board multiple times. "My son's been hit, scarred for life on his face," Rudolph said; he said he had provided photos and requested follow-up.
Several community members spoke in support of Robert (Rob) Rooney (speaker 10), a longtime volunteer and youth coach, expressing disappointment that a coaching appointment had been announced and asking about the hiring process. Wendy Riga (speaker 23) and others asked how the district conducts hiring for interscholastic coaches and whether community stakeholders can participate or be informed.
Superintendent (speaker 17) responded during the meeting’s closing public-comment reply: coaching positions are posted, applicants are reviewed for experience and certifications, interviews are conducted by a panel (athletic director, assistant athletic director, and staff or coaches), and the superintendent’s office makes a recommendation to personnel for the board’s vote. He emphasized the board’s vote is on the personnel report submitted by the superintendent.
The board thanked commenters for their passion; no disciplinary outcomes or personnel reversals were announced at the meeting. The parent who raised the injury complaint said he would wait for a response at the end of the meeting.
The transcript records the concerns and the superintendent’s description of the hiring process but does not include any follow-up timeline or specific remedy for the injury complaint in the public record.
