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Columbia High students and parents press district over athletics oversight and communication failures
Summary
Dozens of Columbia High student-athletes and parents told the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education they have repeatedly experienced late buses, missing equipment, unreturned emails and abrupt roster changes tied to decisions by Athletic Director Winstead; the superintendent said an athletics advisory committee will be formed to address concerns.
At a March board meeting of the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education, a sequence of Columbia High students and parents delivered coordinated public comments accusing the district's athletics office of poor communication, inadequate transportation and stalled equipment orders that have disrupted seasons.
"The athletic director has implemented changes without consideration of how track and field operates," said Caroline Shaw, a Columbia High senior and team captain, describing what she called inaccurate attendance and staffing data that drove proposed cuts. "We need better communication in general." The district's students said coaches were fired or threatened with removal with little notice, families were told of roster cuts after tryouts, and seniors did not receive banner reimbursements.
Student speakers described multiple specific…
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