School Board Unanimously Votes Against Baseball Coach's Reappointment

Joe Yurko, the 21-year head coach of the Jr./Sr. High School's baseball team, said he would appeal a decision to not reappoint him to the position for the 2012 season.

The Westwood Regional Board of Education unanimously voted against reappointing Yurko at the recommendation of Superintendent Geoffrey Zoeller during a board meeting February 16. Zoeller said he could not discuss the reasons he recommended the board not reappoint Yurko for legal reasons, but a letter Zoeller sent to Yurko February 9 outlines 11 reasons for his decision, which include using embarrassing tactics, failing to demonstrate professional conduct and refuting administrative directives.

Yurko, who has taught at the school for 39 years, said that he believes he has been ousted from his position because some parents were unhappy with his decisions as coach. Yurko has played underclassmen in the starting lineup over juniors or seniors on multiple occasions.

"You're obligated as a coach to put your best team on the field at all times, or else you're not going to be successful," Yurko said.

Yurko waived his right to a closed session at the meeting Thursday, allowing the public to sit in on the hearing. Parents and players who support Yurko spoke at the meeting about his winning record and dedication to the team. The Cardinals have won more than 300 games with Yurko as coach, and players have set more than 20 school records under his guidance. 2005 Graduate Jesse Berger said Yurko taught his players more than just the mechanics of baseball.

"The one thing he instilled in all of us is to have pride in what you do. Every time we ran out on that field, I have never been more proud to wear a Westwood uniform," Berger said. "He taught us how to be a team. He taught us how to respect each other, the other team and everyone around us, no matter what was going on."

Conversely, some parents at the meeting said Yurko has bullied, intimidated and embarrassed players. Though Zoeller's letter did not mention specific incidents, Donna Mahalish said Yurko sent her son home terrified after a 2008 incident in which Yurko admitted he lost his temper.

"It wasn't about who was getting more innings or any of that," Mahalish said.

Yurko said he was under stress at the time because he was traveling to Pennsylvania every weekend to visit his mother, who was sick, and then returning for games on Sunday.

"Frankly, I was wiped out," Yurko said.

Yurko was suspended for three days after the incident and later that year was given a list of criticisms he needed to improve upon. He wrote a 17-page letter responding to the evaluation. In June 2009, another evaluation found that Yurko had corrected all of the questionable behavior.

After the public forum was over at Thursday's meeting, Yurko and most of his supporters left. The board voted to not reappoint him shortly after. Yurko said Sunday that he did not know the board would be voting that night. The next step, he said, will be to appeal to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education.

"My only hope is to coach again," Yurko said.