Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Athletics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
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 problems: last-minute coach dismissals and reinstatements, a directive to split teams into two shorter practice groups that reduced workout time, and bus shortages that forced teams to travel crammed onto one vehicle. "We arrived overheated, uncomfortable, and stressed before the games even begin," said Aidan Kleinman, a junior and varsity lacrosse goalie. Jeremy Crawford, a junior and team captain, said the athletics office emailed broad, confusing notices without first consulting head coaches.
Parents and community members echoed those accounts and said the issues are not limited to track. "We've had issues where wrestlers attended events and they haven't been registered," said Donald Connolly, a parent, listing unpaid coaches, absent equipment and unresponsive communications as recurring problems.
Separately, several parents and community members questioned a planned change to how booster-related activity would be handled, noting boosters have historically funded quick-response needs for teams and expressing concern about centralizing booster coordination through the athletic director's office.
Superintendent Jason Bing addressed the public comments and described a district response already in motion. He said the district is creating an athletics advisory committee and hopes to recruit "about 25 to 30 folks" including students, parents, community members and athletics professionals to develop a five-year roadmap, standard operating procedures and a revised athletic philosophy. "We look forward to your contribution," Bing told the audience.
Board members and committee chairs also noted the Student and Family Affairs committee had recently focused on athletics and that an advisory council and a revision of the coaches'handbook are planned. The board's Student and Family Affairs committee reported that coach oversight and compliance issues prompted an orientation-style committee meeting and follow-up.
The meeting record shows no formal disciplinary action against the athletic director during the session. Instead, the near-term steps described on the public record are formation of the advisory committee, revision of the coaches' handbook, and further public engagement; the board did not set a procedural deadline for those items at the meeting.
The board is scheduled to meet again in public session on April 23 and has a formal budget adoption vote set for May 4. Superintendent Bing and student speakers said they expect the advisory committee and other athletics-focused follow-ups to proceed in the coming months.
