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Parents urge Berkshire Local to delay renewal of girls basketball coach; board tables decision
Summary
Multiple parents urged the Berkshire Local school board to reconsider renewing head girls basketball coach Dave Alpert, citing conditioning problems, a lack of positive reinforcement and a "toxic" environment; the board voted to table Alpert's renewal until July to review parent feedback.
At the Berkshire Local school board meeting, multiple parents urged trustees to delay renewing head girls basketball coach Dave Alpert, citing what they described as a "toxic" environment and a lack of conditioning and positive coaching.
"High school sports is meant to be fun. It's a game," said one parent (identified afterward by the board as Craig), who described practices that "feel repetitive and solely focused on plays" and said his daughter rarely sees the head coach at practice. "For these kids to put that much time forward to get demoralized is not...what these children have learned since kindergarten."
Kristen Thompson read a letter written by her daughter, Hayden Thompson, that detailed players' frustrations with limited opportunity to give feedback, a focus on seniority over performance for playing time, and a lack of conditioning and skill development. "Many players want to feel heard and valued," the letter concluded.
Allison Davis, identifying herself as the mother of Whitney Davis, summarized survey responses and emails from other families alleging "aggressive behavior directed toward the players," "regular degrading remarks," micromanaging and dismissive comments about other coaches on staff.
Superintendent John brought the personnel packet before the board, noting it included the coaching renewal. After hearing public comment, John proposed tabling the renewal for Alpert and discussing the matter again at the July meeting so staff could review the feedback. A trustee made the motion to table, which was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote.
The board offered no formal rebuttal from the coach during the meeting; the decision to table leaves the renewal unresolved until trustees review input and meet again. Parents said they will continue to submit letters, emails and testimony ahead of the July meeting.
The board's action: the renewal was tabled pending further review and a July decision; the personnel motion was otherwise approved as presented with Alpert's renewal held for separate consideration.
