School Committee Answers Questions on Coach Training

A tense School Committee found itself playing defense Tuesday night as it addressed issues of inadequate coaches’ training, professional misconduct and noise pollution.

The big issue of the evening was the issue of coaches’ training. The issue was first raised by parent Keven Russell . Russell was in attendance on Tuesday to hear a report from Superintendent of Schools, Eric Conti.

Conti explained that while the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) regulates basic training and sports specific training for coaches, the only training required by the State of Massachusetts is concussion training.  Conti went on to say that the school district provides concussion training 2-3 times per year and stated that all Burlington High School fall sports coaches have completed the course.

“It’s our responsibility to insure the safety of our athletes, not the MIAA,” said Conti. “Our athletes were safe long before 2007 when these regulations were put in place and they are safe now.”

Conti added that some coaches are exempt from the training for reasons such as extensive coaching experience or professional experiences that cover the same area. Conti agreed that the district should work toward meeting the requirements as recommended by the MIAA.

Russell expressed disappointment iat the absence of Edward Gillis, Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education. Russell stated that he met with Gillis weeks ago but the Director could not tell him which coaches were certified and which were not.

“Why isn’t Mr. Gillis here?” inquired Russell.

“Mr. Gillis reports to me and if I thought it was critical for him to be here, I would have asked him to be here,” replied Conti.

“There are questions that you don’t know the answers to,” said Russell.

“Email me the questions and I will get the answers,” retorted Conti.

In an interview with Patch, Russell expressed frustration with the Committee’s response.

“I did not think the response was adequate. They expressed that they were going to try to get into compliance, but rather than focusing the conversation on the coaches that were not in compliance, they focused on those who were in compliance, which I felt was deflecting the conversation away from the issue,” said Russell.

Russell stated that he felt Superintendent Conti minimized the need for proper coach’s training. Conti stated that trainers are always available, but Russell expressed concern that in some situations a trainer on the football field for example, may not be close enough.

“If a student is injured in the gym and the trainer is on the football field, it could be 15-20 minutes before the trainer is located and able to get back to the gym. How an injured athlete is attended to in those first few minutes is very important,” said Russell.

Russell also stated that according to his research, not all the fall sports coaches have completed their concussion training.

Next the School Committee heard reports from Craig Robinson regarding school construction projects. Robinson informed the Committee members that the Marshall Simonds Middle School addition is expected to be ready for occupancy in April 2012.

Russell once again approached and asked about noise level monitoring. He stated that his son who is a student at Marshall Simonds Middle School has reported that noise from jackhammers outside classrooms is very disruptive.

“Has there been any noise level monitoring?” asked Russell.

Robinson replied that there has been no such monitoring but that he has not previously received complaints from the administration or from parents. Robinson went on to explain that the air quality is regularly monitored by the contractor’s industrial hygienist.

Construction at the school is expected to be completed by September 2013.

Russell also made an allegation of professional misconduct on the part of a Burlington school teacher. School Committee Chair Steve Nelson explained that there are strict rules regarding discussions about specific district employees and told Russell that the allegations cannot be publicly addressed. He also stated that the individual involved would have to be informed ahead of time in order to be present for any such discussions. Nelson asked Russell to provide the substance of the complaint to the Superintendent.

Russell understood the need for discretion but stated that he had been unable to meet with Principal Patrick Larkin the previous day, and felt that the issue was important enough that it warranted immediate attention.

Nelson asked Russell to “follow the chain of command” and suggested he attempt to meet with Principal Larkin the next day.

In a later interview with Burlington Patch, Russell described a teacher who behaved in an erratic and inattentive manner and at times appeared confused.