Embattled Softball Coach Reinstated by School Board

Hillsborough Middle School's championship softball team will again be coached by Rich Rosenblum, the nine-year coach who came under fire by supervisors in an effort to replace him on the team.

But after hearing his rebuttal to reports his staff and practices have been disorganized, and that he failed to demonstrate integrity, five members of the Board of Education voted to reinstate him as coach for the 2014 season at Monday's meeting.

Before Rosenblum addressed the board during a special meeting ahead of the board's regular meeting, Superintendent Jorden Schiff outlined the reasons why Rosenblum had not been recommended for reinstatement, noting a performance review by middle school Athletic Director Patrick Scarpello cited five areas in need of improvement.

"It is clear to me that Mr. Rosenblum has had a positive impact on many of his athletes and their families," Dr. Schiff said. "It is important that we find coaches who inspire their athletes and work well with administrators."

Rosenblum took the most issue with the questions about his willingness to work with administrators, providing emails and meeting summaries he said showed his willingness to work with Scarpello and school Principal Joseph Trybulski.

He said an email from Dr. Trybulski following a meeting in June to discuss Scarpello's concerns noted "Going forward, we all agree these matters have been resolved."

"Aren't you scratching your heads right now, like me, wondering where all this is coming from?" Rosenblum asked the board. 

He said he understands that as a new athletic director, Scarpello may "want to go in a new direction," but asked why it's necessary to "go to such lengths to discredit me" if that's the case.

He concluded his comments noting he understands administrators may not like some of their employees, but said they don't have the right to just remove people from positions if they are performing well "just because you don't like them."

"When I was asked and told by Dr. Trybulski and Mr. Scarpello, I immediately—immediately—changed and abided everything that was asked of me," he said.

As at the board meeting in October and November when the board considered resolutions naming new softball coaches, a group of parents and players spoke in support of Rosenblum, often citing and arguing against specific accusations made against him.

Parent Al Savarino said he was waiting to hear what the "big secret" was that led the board to repeatedly try to replace Rosenblum, hearing the case against him summarized in "six sentences" by Dr. Schiff.

"I find it a bit insulting that we've spent all this time here for six sentences," he said. "It really makes me doubt the decision-making process (that led to the decision)."

When the board discussed the resolution to appoint Rosenblum as coach later during the board's regular meeting, the "process" was what members considered, although with different views.

Board member Chris Pulsifer noted the board members should not consider whether they want Rosenblum as a coach, but rather if the administration followed the procedure in making its recommendation.

"Our job is to consider the process and procedure the administration went through," he said, adding the administration should be able to hire or not hire based on its employee review procedures. "Our only job is to determine how that was taken care of." 
  
Other board members agreed, but some felt as Jennifer Haley did when she said the process "kind of stinks."

"I think our job is to determine whether there was an issue in the process—and I think there was," board member Loraine Soisson said. "Our job is to determine if the burden of proof was met and I don't feel that it was."

Board member Judy Haas questioned why the district would rush to remove a nine-year coach even if one performance review revealed areas needing improvement, and recommended the board's Human Resource Committee consider setting guidelines for such cases.

Pulsifer and board President Thomas Kinst voted against reinstating Rosenblum, but the other five members present (Greg Gillette was absent) voted in favor.

The crowd cheered, with calls of "Thank you" and "You made a good decision" after the vote was announced.