Posted by Dennis Herrick on June 19, 2009 at 09:08:14:
Keep an eye on all those shuttered car dealerships. In a few months the properties will probably be handed over free of charge to political buddies of Obama and the Democrats. And for all we know this arrogant La Salle guy has a buddy from Nashua that will be taking over the ski coaching job. He's just doing the dirty deed and removing the current occupants first. Or maybe he needs their salaries for his next bonus.
AND WHILE YOU"RE AT IT LA SALLE, PLEASE DEFINE "PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES". AND WE WANT ALL THE DETAILS.
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Parents upset over firing of ski coaches
Superintendent defends decision
By Margo Sullivan
margosullivan@eagletribune.com
PLAISTOW — School Superintendent Richard La Salle said last night he will not be "bullied" into rehiring two high-school ski coaches.
The coaches, Marybeth and Peter Torosian, founded the Timberlane Regional High School ski team 12 years ago. Last month, Athletic Director Angelo Fantasia cited "philosophical differences" and told them their one-year contracts would not be renewed, Marybeth Torosian said.
The unpopular decision sparked an uproar from team members — and their parents.
Last night, in a sometimes heated exchange with parents, La Salle defended the district's right to terminate the coaches and complained about treatment his staff has received.
"We are feeling quite bullied," La Salle said, "but we stand firm." About a dozen people, including students, addressed the School Board.
The superintendent said the parents at last night's meeting were polite, but others adopted "bullying behavior," including "hate e-mails," threats, obscenities, complaints to the state Department of Education, and "persistent interaction with the television and the press."
"We will not conduct our business on television or in the newspaper," he said.
"We cannot do it."
Parents objected to the accusations.
"I challenge you to show us any documentation of obscenities," Jake Lord of Atkinson said.
"I don't believe anybody in this room would do that. We're protesting a decision."
Another parent, Wanda Cote of Danville, said she called the Department of Education for information.
Cote said her daughter, who has a medical condition, was able to compete on the ski team because Marybeth Torosian was a registered nurse able to provide advanced medical care in an emergency.
Cote said the school nurse has since told her that care will not be provided next year. S
he called the state to find out if New Hampshire law protects her daughter's right to participate on the team.
"I never threatened anybody. I never bullied anybody," Cote said. "You had her (Marybeth Torosian) as a freebie," she told La Salle.
La Salle insisted the school has the right to decide what's a "reasonable accommodation," and Cote insisted state law protects her daughter's rights.
School Board Chairman Elizabeth Costa said the panel would take the parents' request "under advisement" and send a letter if a final decision were made.
Lord said afterward the parents are not going away.
"We'll be back at the next School Board meeting," he said.
"We're persistent," Estelle Halchak of Atkinson said.
Marybeth Torosian attended last night's School Board meeting, but said her husband could not because he was out of the area.
She fought back tears as she thanked the people who supported her.
This week, The Eagle-Tribune named the Torosians the Coaches of the Year.
This was the third time they received the honor.