Parents and players urge Pleasant Valley district to investigate girls soccer coach

A parent and a senior player told the Pleasant Valley Community School District board on Monday that the girls soccer program has an unhealthy culture under the current head coach and asked the district to investigate and consider removing him from the role.

"This is something that started as soon as Mr. Piotti got here," said parent Nathan Richards during the non-agenda public comment period. Richards said a letter signed by eight to 10 players — and others who feared retaliation if they signed — outlines "several specific examples of inappropriate behavior" and asks the coach to step down. "It’s demeaning, it’s belittling behavior, it’s arrogant," he said.

Senior Zoya Sadiq, who drafted the letter, addressed the board and said she spoke for athletes who were unable to attend. "We now have students that are quitting the soccer program their senior year," Sadiq said, and she urged the board or district human-resources staff to speak directly with players, parents and assistant coaches about the complaints.

Board members did not respond substantively during the non-agenda period; the chair told speakers that the board cannot comment on non-agenda items but that "we do hear you." The board did not take action during the meeting.

What happens next: Richards said he can provide the letters and emails he has received to district officials and asked the district to conduct due diligence, including interviews with players, assistant coaches and others with day-to-day knowledge. The board’s public-records packet indicates several personnel updates elsewhere on the agenda, but no formal investigation or personnel action was announced at the meeting.

Provenance: The public comments and requests for investigation were delivered during the non-agenda public-comment segment of the meeting (public comment segment).