Parents press board on student injury and question high-school baseball hiring; superintendent describes selection process

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, parent Joseph Rudolph said his son was injured at school and said he has not received responses from the district despite multiple appearances at meetings. "My son's been hit, scarred for life on his face," Rudolph said, adding he had brought photos and asked the board for a response at the meeting’s end.

Several residents spoke in support of longtime volunteer coach Rob Rooney after a head-coach selection was announced. Robert Rooney (who also spoke) and other community members described Rooney’s long service to youth baseball and urged the board and administrators to consider community continuity and engagement when filling coaching positions.

Wendy Riga and other speakers raised questions about the hiring process and transparency; in response Superintendent Dr. Rivalli outlined the district’s standard procedure for co-curricular hires: an application period, review of experience and certifications, interviews by a panel (athletic director, assistant athletic director and coaches), a superintendent recommendation, and a board vote. He emphasized that the superintendent makes the recommendation and the board votes to approve or reject it.

The board acknowledged the public commenters and said the district heard their concerns. No formal change to personnel action was announced during the meeting.