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Parents and students accuse Sky View baseball coach of repeated harassment; call for immediate removal
Summary
Multiple parents and students told the board they have experienced intimidation, public shaming and harassment from the Sky View High head baseball coach and called on the district to remove him; the group said it will submit detailed complaints in writing and requested prompt action from administration.
Several parents and students used the meeting's public‑comment period to accuse the Sky View High head baseball coach of repeated intimidation, harassment and public humiliation, and urged the Vancouver School District to act.
Josh Wong, a parent who previously coached in the district, said he has "witness[ed] head coach intimidating harassing bullying kids as well as publicly embarrassing kids" and that multiple parents had complained to administrators "with nothing ever being done." Wong said parents' demands include that the "current Sky View baseball head coach [be] relieved of his baseball coaching duties no later than October 25." The group indicated it would provide more evidence in writing.
Student Ethan French told the board the coach's approach was more "boot camp than a baseball training," that he was publicly humiliated during practice and that the coach's behavior "ruined my love for the sport." Another student, Jay Swong, described perceived bias and safety concerns during tryouts and practices.
Parent Craig Castanza said the alleged misconduct dated back to October 2022, described repeated incidents of verbal abuse and intimidation, and said several named students had been so affected they left the program. Castanza said the group would provide documented incidents to the district in writing for formal review.
The board's public comment instructions repeated that personnel complaints should be submitted in writing to the district; the board did not take immediate action during the meeting. No district response to the allegations appeared on the record during public comment; board members and staff present underscored the requirement to document personnel complaints so administration can investigate.
The public comments at the meeting represent allegations by parents and students. The district did not provide a response on the record at this meeting; the speakers said they will submit documentation for the district to review.
