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Eldred BOE quizzed over hazing

Parents concerned over publicity

Kaitlin Carney - Reporter/Photographer
Posted 11/21/14

GLEN SPEY — The Eldred Central School District Board of Education held its monthly meeting with a near capacity audience at the George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School in Glen Spey.

The large …

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Eldred BOE quizzed over hazing

Parents concerned over publicity

Posted

GLEN SPEY — The Eldred Central School District Board of Education held its monthly meeting with a near capacity audience at the George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School in Glen Spey.

The large crowd was present to discuss the recent hazing allegations on the football team.

Board of Education Chairperson Doug Reiser said the board would rearrange its agenda “to move our public comment before the board reports. In light of our situation here I want to give everyone the opportunity to address the board publicly.

“Before we start I would like to read a statement,” Reiser added. “Most of you guys know me. I'm not a politician. I am not a school administrator. I'm just a guy trying to do public service for my community. This has probably been one of the most trying weeks I've been through in a long time. Collectively, there weren't many hours of sleep…”

See sidebar for the board's statement read by Reiser.

Reiser added, “The Board of Education, Superintendent [Bob Dufour], and administration all take this seriously… [but] will not discuss student discipline or personnel publicly. Please do not misinterpret any silence by the school board as lack of concern; we are all terribly concerned and do and take this matter very seriously.”

The floor was opened to the public for comment.

Bruce Worzel, a parent of a football player, indicated that he was tasked to speak for players.

See Worzel's statement in sidebar.

Scott Van Tuyl, a parent of a football player, stated, “Somebody really screwed up here. It hurt the town and the whole community. From what I understand, [there was no] hazing.… Nothing against you, Doug, but if that was your kid you would've changed the wording of that letter 100 percent. I feel one person is responsible and it's none of the Board of Education members.”

Greg Kolvenbach, also a football parent spoke next. “We got a robocall stating what happened. My son has been called terrible names because of social media. We are in a world that is so immediate and fast and technical you can't be on top of your kids all the time,” Kolvenbach said. “I think we need to focus on where this stuff is coming from. It's not the parents; we are good parents and raised our kids properly. This was nothing but tomfoolery and horsing around.

“You say you want to protect our children. But what you did was you guys turned into the bullies,” Kolvenbach added.

Vincent Donnelly, a grandparent, addressed the board: “You said they are not bad kids. You have branded them all as bad kids. There is a sheriff ['s deputy] outside of the school. The discipline report my grandson got indicated that he failed to report an incident. He failed to report an incident that he knew nothing about! You need to correct this.”

Board Chairperson Doug Reiser explained, “If you are not comfortable with the discipline you appeal that decision. The appeal goes to the superintendent. If Mr. Dufour declines it, it goes to the board. I would love to bring 22 parents into a closed session to discuss this tonight; unfortunately we don't afford you due process that way. In this forum we can't discuss the discipline of your child and personnel matters. That's the rules and the law.”

Reiser indicated that it was his intention to distribute the opening statement and leave a copy for the press for printing. Parent Kelli Kelty stated that she did not want the statement printed because “It is other people's judgment on my child.”

Chairperson Reiser did address parental concern about the wording of the letter further, explaining the process for its creation and dissemination. “The public relations person wrote the letter, it was approved by the attorney, it was emailed to all of us, during the day, and then it was published. When people that we hire to do a job approve something, it's difficult for any people that don't do that job to say no to that. I don't have an office in the school. We don't micromanage the school district. The only reason we volunteer to do this job is for your children, and you are standing there chastising us.”

Chairperson Reiser indicated that the board appreciated all comments. Many of the parents assembled for the meeting gathered in the hallway outside of the lunchroom.

Eldred BOE Statement

On Monday, Oct. 27, district officials became aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by members of the Football team and launched an immediate investigation. The investigation revealed that over a three week period, members of the Football team engaged in inappropriate behaviors. The investigation has concluded and it was determined that the students involved violated both the athletic and district codes of conduct. Students have been disciplined accordingly as per the guidelines outlined in Eldred's code of conduct.

Young adults can sometimes make poor choices, but that does not mean that they are bad people. However, when horseplay crosses the line, it's up to the adults - parents, teachers, administrators and community members - to step in and provide guidance and support. I encourage you as parents to talk with your children about these types of behaviors, as we are doing through our assemblies and winter student-athlete meetings. It's important that we work together and continue to promote a positive learning environment.

The district will be holding building-wide assemblies to address the dangers of hazing, as well as team meetings with all student-athletes for the upcoming winter season. Additionally we will be working in conjunction with the National Football League (NFL) to bring in experts and programs to promote good sportsmanship and personal conduct both on-and off-the-field.

The district's original press release described the allegations in graphic detail. It was not the intention of the Board of Education or Superintendent to be provocative or otherwise offend anyone with the stark terminology used to describe the conduct. The intent was to inform. Be assured, the safety of our students is the main priority of the Eldred Central School District, and we remain committed to working with our community resources and our families to ensure the safety of all students.

Worzel Statement

We are asking the board to address the anger of the parents and players. The statement that was shared with the world was judge, jury, and executioner for these kids without their day in court. They have been punished in many ways, not necessarily by discipline but in public opinion.

I think the conduct of the administration was done very poorly and I think there needs to be an account for that. We are the adults in the room… we need to look at that.

I think of the atmosphere that a few words, poorly chosen, have created. It has caused me great pain. There is a sign above your head that says “Respect.” Great words. But there are a few in the school, community, and the world that judged these kids with those few words. These people know who they are. They spoke these things on Facebook.

Words have meaning… there's not much confidence in this administration and the way this was handled. We are looking for a way forward, to open the conversation to redeem these kids' names. Everyone needs to get it right this time.”

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