The South Orange – Maplewood Board of Education will meet on Monday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building (525 Academy Street, Maplewood) to vote on the appointment of several athletics coaches, including Boys Varsity Head Coach Joseph Fischetti, who has been the subject of controversy lately.
The board also will vote on several revised policies concerning the sports program, including appropriate conduct for coaches, parents and staff. The policies are part of an overall district push to educate teachers, administrators, coaches and parents about the state’s anti-bullying law, and to improve its communication efforts as it investigates reported bullying incidents.
Some current members of the Boys Baseball Team will present a petition at the meeting asking the board to approve the coaches’ reappointment for the spring season, according to an email to team parents from William Krais, the president of the Columbia Baseball Boosters. Krais wrote that “more than a dozen Essex County baseball coaches, scores of fellow South Orange/Maplewood teachers, administrators, coaches, and employees, and parents of current and former players have sent letters and emails supporting Coaches Fischetti and [assistant coach Matthew] Becht to school administrators and Board of Education members.”
In addition, Krais alleged that if the board does not vote to reappoint the coaches “it’s unlikely that [Athletic Director Larry] Busichio will find suitable coaching replacements before tryouts begin on March 5.”
See the full meeting agenda here.
The board also will hear an update on PARCC and the budget.
