For 12 hours, 150 students and parents sat patiently in Town Hall. Staples High School boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense was appealing to the Board of Education the decision by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice to not renew his contract.
At 11:15 p.m. — after 90 more minutes with the board cloistered in executive session — the BOE returned.
The 75 teens and adults still remaining sat in stunned silence, as the board voted 5-1 to affirm Scarice’s decision. Robert Harrington was the lone vote against. Kevin Christie recused himself, for reasons he did not explain.
Town Hall auditorium was filled, waiting for the hearing to begin.
The long day had featured extensive questioning of Scarice, principal Stafford Thomas, athletic direvctor VJ Sarullo, Oost-Lievense and freshman coach Chris O’Dell.
The major issues were a verbal argument — not physical, as erroneously reported — between a player and assistant coach Harry Ocampo at a preseason retreat, and Oost-Lievense’s alleged failure to report it to Sarullo; a subsequent conversation between the player and Ocampo in a golf cart near the players, and Oost-Lievense’s attendance at the post-season banquet.
From left: Staples principal Stafford Thomas, athletic director VJ Sarullo, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
Much of the discussion involved policies, procedures, training — and the lack of them.
Other discussion involved the investigation conducted by Sarullo and Thomas. Despite repeated claims of a “thorough” investigation by school officials between October 25 and December 8, not one student at the retreat was interviewed.
The coach’s attorney, Beatrice Franklin, objected strenuously to the exclusion of testimony and emails by several coaches and others, which she said would point to the lack of clear guidelines on reporting, and other issues at hand.
The mediator — appointed by the board — overruled virtually all of Franklin’s objections. He also refused to allow testimony about actions by coaches in other sports that did not result in discipline, which she said would have shown that Scarice’s action was “arbitrary and capricious” (the threshold for the board to overturn the superintendent’s decision).
Mediator Fred Dorsey (4th from left), with Board of Education members Dorie Hordon, Neil Phillips, Lee Goldstein, Abby Tolan and Jill Dillon.
Sarullo was questioned about why his evaluation of Oost-Lievense changed from “gifted head coach taking the program to new heights” in 2023, to all negative in 2024.
He said it was because of a “negative environment” on the team. That drew surprised looks from the more than 2 dozen returning players at Town Hall supporting their coach, throughout the long day.
Under extensive questioning, principal Thomas repeated often that he could not recall many of the events surrounding the investigation, and related matters.
There was discussion too of a 2022 incident, when Oost-Lievense reacted angrily to bullying incidents on the freshman and junior varsity teams. The coach — a special education teacher at Darien High — emotionally described his reactions to reports of bullying of a special education student, citing his long work in special ed.
That 2022 incident led to a Department of Children and Family Services investigation. No evidence of wrongdoing was found, and Oost-Lievense said a DCFS official apologized to him.
The complaint about this fall’s incident at the retreat also was sent to DCFS. Within a day, they declined to investigate.
Scarice explained that Westport holds its employees to “a higher standard.”
From left: Board of Education member Robert Harrington, attorney Beatrice Franklin, coaches Russell Oost-Lievense and Chris O’Dell.
One of the most emotional moments of the long day came when Franklin asked Oost-Lievense why — after all he’s been through — he still wanted his job back.
“I can never give back what this soccer program, the players and families, have done for me, as a player and coach,” he said, his voice breaking. “This is my alma mater, and I love it more than anything.”
He recounted his experience as a player, when his father was dying, and the soccer team was his safe haven. Among his father’s last words to him: “Look after the ones who look to you.”
The audience rose, in a standing ovation.
During a break in the action, Russell Oost-Lievense (back row, 3rd from left) poses with current and returning Staples soccer players.
In closing statements, board attorney Thomas Mooney said, “this is not a popularity contest. The Board of Education has delegated decisions like this to the superintendent. You must apply that policy. There is no evidence that this was ‘arbitrary and capricious.'”
Franklin countered, “‘Arbitrary and capricious’ does not mean you rubber stamp the administration. Did they make their decision supported by evidence, and a thorough investigation?”
She cited many examples: the lack of an investigation, the pattern of not allowing evidence and witnesses, and more.
“How could Staples be better off without Russ?” she asked. “All I want for my kids is to have a coach like him.”
For 90 minutes — until 11:15 p.m. — Staples players waited for the Board of Education to exit executive session. (Photos/Dan Woog)
When — 90 minutes later — the board rendered their decision, the large crowd (including dozens of boys and girls soccer players, and alumni) who had stayed for 14 hours were stunned.
They wondered how a supposedly neutral “mediator” had ruled against Oost-Lievense dozens of times, before and during the hearing.
They asked how he could have excluded wide swaths of evidence, directly relevant to coaching, training, procedures, and discipline.
They were puzzled that the “arbitrary and capricious” discussion did not include information about the lack of disciplinary action against coaches in other sports, for sometimes more egregious offenses.
“It seemed pretty clear the board had no interest in doing actual justice,” one said. “Russell could have shown a murder weapon and a body. They still would have ruled against him.”
This was such a shameful chain of events for Westport. From the nonexistent investigation, to the treatment of the coaches, and the absurd hearing “presided over” by a Board of Ed lawyer who shut down every single legitimate avenue of defense with moronic rulings to a Board of Education that ignored the facts and common sense. One of them did not even show up and gave no excuse for his recusal, and that person wants to be First Selectman? Dreadful on so many levels. This is how Westport treats those who have given everything to enrich our kids through athletics?
I think you answered your own question about the recusal.
To Allan Wennberg’s comment, the super seems like a dim bulb – it is long since time to move on.
As a number of readers here are aware, I am a Staples soccer alum—Dan’s class of 1971—and have remained a close friend of Dan’s since our high school days. But—and relevant to this as well—I have had barely any contact with Russell over the years.
From everything I have read about this, I think Russell made only one conceivable bona fide mistake: attending the postseason Staples soccer banquet after he had been suspended by the administration as the soccer coach for the remainder of the 2024 season. And I gather that invitation came from the parents who typically handle the primary responsibilities for organizing the banquet.
If this is the “‘higher standard’” that superintendent Scarise is holding Russell accountable to, from my perspective of having worked on government-related litigation and investigations for a number of years the handling of this entire matter still constitutes a textbook example of “arbitrary and capricious.”
Given the lawsuits that I imagine will be coming here, I am glad I am no longer a taxpayer in Westport. I only wish I were still a voter in Westport to be able to vote out those on the Board who supported this egregious decision by Scarise.
Fred, what came out in testimony is that Russell and Chris repeatedly asked for clarification from the athletic director about their attendance at the banquet, in the days leading up to it. They noted that many parents wanted them to come, and that they had major roles in it. He never responded.
As for the cost: I can’t imagine what we taxpayers have spent on attorney’s fees for this. It would certainly cover the cost of a number of Block “S”s.
Interesting. Some might frame the lack of response as an “intelligence test”.
Fred, I hope he takes a law suit. I don’t even mind my tax paying dollars being spend on that.
Better than destroying a community garden, better than enabling the damn hamlet.. better than 100 things I can think of… BUT- recusing oneself from this vote. A vote that was so important.
That right there makes one unequivocally unelectable…
Looks like Scarice’s shine has worn off. Time for a new administrator.
Embarrassing show but quite revealing. The emperor has no clothes 😢
Emperors‼️ have no clothes.
Don’t want to leave out any bozos 🇺🇸
I never comment here but, I cannot stay silent. I know Russell from his Coleytown Elementary and Middle school days and I have never met a kinder, caring, sweet person. This is truly an outage.
So, the town wasted 14 hours of people to have an indepentenant mediator, which by the way was the town attorney (not independent, if you ask me.), put on a biased show that was basically prescripted by the town to fit the towns agenda. Cool.
Yet another attempt by this town to assume people are dumb sheep that will always follow the towns agenda. Hope this will open eyes and changes will be made.
Add this to the list of shady dealings, ie Hamlet.
Time for real change.
Thanks for putting this together Dan.
Appearances very much matter.
If a show of equitable treatment of an individual was the aim then this appears to have fallen short.
As much Kafka as Hamlet.
It’s time for DOGE [Department of Government Ethics]!
Despicable result! Our town leaders who voted against Oost-Lievense should be ashamed. This never should have happened. This result is bad for our town…
This is an absolute disgrace. What are we, as a community, going to do about it? Is this how we feel about our coaches and teachers, is this the kind of support they can expect from the community, when the administration is clearly inept? As a parent, I can only hope my children have a coach like Russell.
Some mediator he was …
What happened here is a microcosm of what is happening all over the country.
“Can you find a better place to live then Westport ?”
Jason Green, You have be joking. How about Palm Beach, Florida for starters.
Interesting that the only member of the BOE that voted against affirming the decision was a Republican. All the Democrats voted in favor except one that inexplicably recused himself.
Is that what you meant?
What I love is that Dems are less likely to fall in line. In this case, anyway, they see something and say something. Loudly.
Which ones? The BOE members? I guess they did. They saw something and said something with their votes.
Democrats in the audience felt free to disagree with Democrats on the dais. You don’t see that with Republicans.
I would imagine there were some Republicans disagreeing with the Republicans (aside from Harrington) on the dais as well. This doesn’t seem to be a particularly partisan issue (contrary to a few comments throwing partisanship into the discussion) which was actually my point. The snark obviously did not come across well.
A very accurate report on the total sham of a public hearing.
The Administration and BOE have behaved appallingly , and cowardly and very much against the vast majority of the wishes of the community.
Make sure you vote out everyone who supported this outrageous decision .
Hearsay, conjecture, I do not recall, I cannot remember…but it happened!
The termination without proper notice to appeal within ten days, was not noticed until four months later after Russell was ignored is lack of transparency and communication.
The entire team and past students were there to support Russell. That says a lot.
Further, a recusal without explanation while running for higher office in rendering a decision that would upset constituents is disappointing. In a leadership role, you have to make tough decisions and accept that you will not please or satisfy everyone. Imploring those with conveying your thoughts and reasons is more admirable, than avoiding.
Russell drove the team for years to success. Tremendous loss to the Staples community.
If we can cover seven months f lawyers fees with taxpayers money, we can afford the Staples “S” Block awards.
Priorities and traditions are weakening.
“I’ve asked around, and most of the people told me that the soul is somewhere above the abdominal area—a foot or so above the asshole.”
—Aleksandar Hemon, “The Lazarus Project”
The Board of Education needs exploratory surgery. Stat.
This really stinks of Doge permeating Westport. What a shame that the superintendent of schools and the Board of Education and this so-called mediator has no idea of what transparency and justice mean. This is really a black mark on our community
Dan captured the meeting. I sat through 14 hours of the hearing.
I am deeply disturbed by how our Super and BOE treat our school employees and our students, all the students involved. Having to be right at the expense of fair and and consistent creates a toxic culture.
The BOE had one role to play. To be neutral. To give both sides fair consideration. To give the coaches their due process. The decision to block 8+ witnesses on behalf of the coaches showed the bias early on. The absence of questions by the majority of the board, of an administration that admitted to conducting a very limited investigation between Oct 24-29, was an egregious failure of governance and due process.
Where was the inquiry about treating all employees in a consistent manner? When the CT DCFS determined that the incident in question did not warrant an investigation, the Admin should have reinstated the coaches. It was not a reportable event. There is supposed to be a step between an AD making a recommendation and a Superintendent issuing a non-renewal. The testimony showed that absolutely no steps were taken to gather more information nor to meet with the coaches. The process was broken. The outcome shocking. It sets a disturbing precedent for our town. This decision harms everyone in the school system. Our teachers and coaches and ALL families deserve better.
If you have any concern about the erosion of due process rights in this country, you should be deeply concerned about how the BOE handled this matter. Our teachers and coaches deserve to have the administration always and consistently run a fair process when a complaint is received. The hearing showed that the processes just do not exist.
Nailed it Joan.
Andrew, feel free to find 19 other citizens, or 1 other RTM member, to have this added to the next RTM agenda so there could be a town wide discussion on this matter. That is your right as an RTM member and our right as citizens…….actually, you gave away your right (and my right) to demand such a public discussion when you voted the night of October 3 2023. Thanks again.
Unbelievably stupid vote by 29 Bozos. They are not fit to serve.
Andrew can still petition the Representative?🤩Town Meeting but they don’t have to listen. But it would be a bold move for Andrew. Do it‼️
I believe a comment by the Superintendent would be well come as there seem to be a strong evidence of support for the boys soccer coach.. I have had two generations of involvement in Staples High School activities
Thank you
We’ll continue to get the representation we deserve if we fail to hold to account, our elected Board of Education in the next election. Clearly, they fail to see that they serve the Westport community and its interests. Their renewal of Mr. Scarice, who has proved to be a one man wrecking crew over Staples Athletics, and the kangaroo court we attended yesterday is enough to pursue the goal of replacing this Board with the exception of Mr. Harrington.
Can we recall Thomas Scarice? If memory serves (I could be wrong), wasn’t he the one who spoke of yielding a chainsaw to get rid of the Westport Community Garden?
He changed his mind and instead took the chainsaw to the Staples Athletic Department
Apparently he did both Lara. I need to rethink for whom I vote for BOE. I guess Kevin Christie has shown his true colors.
Kevin chickened out 🤮
That’s the only reasonable response
Oh he did not change his mind. The garden is gone.
Tried to warn everybody.
I have never been so disappointed in this town and for the first time questioning if I want to stay here. I moved here for the schools like many of us. However, Scarice, Stafford, VJ and the entire Board of Ed (minus one) I’m ashamed of you. This is despicable un-American un-Democratic process ruined the life of a good man and ultimately screwed our kids. Scarice needs to go, so too does this disgraceful Board of Ed MOB
Staples soccer alum – class of ’90. Today I’m strongly considering uprooting my life and moving back to Westport for the sole purpose of voting this board out
From the reporting by Dan and the comments from his readers, it would seem that we just experienced a Kangaroo Court session held in the Town hall last night!
I attended and lasted from 10:30 AM to 5:30PM.
(originally scheduled for 9 AM, switched to 11AM and then switched back to 9AM- I didn’t get the last switch back to 9AM).
I think Superintendent Scarice’s testimony was the most damning- and that he only needed the summary of the report outline of what happened to make his decision supporting principal Stafford Thomas’s and athletic director VJ Sarullo’s recommendation to dismiss all three of the coaches present at the camp. He cited “Poor judgement and Insubordination” to allow the student and coach to settle at the time, to not report to the athletic director and attend the banquet.
I heard directly from the Staples students, seated in front of me, that none of the student athletes present at the summer preseason soccer camp were ever (to this day) interviewed about what they saw, how it was handled by the coaches and how it was resolved. I heard from them that it was amicably settled by the student involved and the coach directly involved and they thought it was properly and finally resolved at the time.
And that it was not until months later when the team was being a team that the coaches were told they could resign or be terminated (legally called – not renewed)>
I heard that it was not good enough to have settled the matter at the camp and it was poor judgement to not report the incident to the athletic director and to allow the involved coach and student to immediately settle the matter at the camp.
I heard testimony that it was insubordinate to attend the team banquet after the season even when the team’s parents and athletes repeatedly requested the coaches to attend and that the administration did not respond to repeated calls from the coaches for clarification on whether they could attend in light of the requests to attend by the banquet organizers.
I also heard that administration did not treat all coaches the same when rules were broken and reported to administration- with that testimony not allowed to be entered into the record because it was “not pertinent to the current discussion- even when Attorney Franklin repeatedly pointed out that this was acting arbitrary and capricious”.
I heard Board member Mr Harrington raise pertinent questions, clarifications and observations on the administration’s responses to the coaches’ requests and messages.
I didn’t hear testimony, if it was given, by the parent observer who was at the camp and reported the incident several weeks later but heard that he would personally carry the coaches to the banquet.
I didn’t hear testimony from any of the athletes who were present in the auditorium in support go their coaches.
I was surprised this morning to read that the hearing went on for another six hours- with many of the students still present supporting their coaches. And I was stunned that a path to resolving this was not found (reinstatement with athletic director appointed monitoring and supervision- reading the riot act etc etc).
Just my opinion- but throwing to the wayside coaches who dedicated their time and expertise to the soccer team for many years (and even decades), were respected and beloved by their athletes and the parents, who built team spirit and team success, who asked if they could attend an after season banquet (when asked by the organizing parents repeatedly to attend) and then got no response and were found insubordinate – I think this is sad for the soccer team, especially sad for the team seniors and their parents, and mostly sad that administration did not find a better way to resolve this and still playing by the rules with a happier ending!!
So Kevin chickened out🤮
Time to withdraw
Who was the mediator? One comment said it was the town attorney. Who was it? Was it an attorney from one of the town or BOE’s usual roster of law firms ( FLB Law, Berchem Moses PC, and Shipman & Goodwin. Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC?)
Most “mediatiors” are impartial 3rd parties that are deemed approriate by both parties. If the mediator in this case has done work for the town or BOE in the past, and can be expected to work for the town in the future, then they really should not be allowed to be called a Mediator.
Sounds like a complete travesty….what an awesome way to introduce these kids to Westport’s unique version of due process and transparency and fairness.
Next on the agenda: The students should petition the RTM to review this matter. I have a petition template I would be happy to provide and Jeff Weiser’s RTM email address.
And for those hoping that the next BOE election might improve matters, I note that Lauren Karpf, RTM Deputy Moderator, is a candidate for BOE. Lauren was one of the RTM leaders who took away our long-standing rights to Petition the RTM. If I recall, she was quite adamant that us common people should not have the right to petition the RTM. Sounds like she would fit in perfectly with this current BOE.
Great idea John. This town is going to hell in a hand basket.
No idea whether the mediator was the town attorney but I’ll bet you they were.
Weiser is so crooked that he cannot stand straight.
Good luck to any petitioner. He sealed that fate along with the PATHETIC RTM29 !
Some have commented tonight.. what a joke
It’s sad what happened to Russ, and the board and district have been less than open. That said, it’s time to move on. The soccer team isn’t nearly as focused on this as the mob of commenters are and this dragging out isn’t helpful to anyone, especially the kids.
Wrong, Dave. Sweeping this under the carpet will only embolden this administration to continue making decisions in a vacuum without considering the welfare of our kids. There needs to be accountability. Sarullo is clearly unfit for his role. Start there. I have 2 kids at Staples and like Principal Thomas but his hands have blood on them. He’s next. And Scarice is on a power trip and not listening to parents. He’s got to go. Lastly, the BOE – many of whom I count as friends, completely let us down. None should be re-elected for this or any other town board or elected position.
I liked the principal too, but did you listen to him yesterday? Answering “I don’t recall” to multiple questions. Very disappointing.
Not sure how you can say that when the entire staples soccer program is starting up again in a few months and there are no coaches! Good luck finding one that wants to work under these administrators. And the kids deserve time to process this and feel supported. Not sure a few hours after what happened yesterday is the right time to “move on”. Time heals.
An abomination.
How shameful and appalling.
Can the rtm overturn this result ?
If so they ought to.
We the people should sue this board.
And anybody who abstained is as guilty as the rest..
abstentions are weak and lily livered. Almost worse than the rest of the shameful group.
I’m DISGUSTED. And this was NOT democracy.
This is truly awful. Our local politics are a joke. The school should be ashamed
My piece of advice for all of the teachers and coaches in Westport. Be very careful, the administrators (your bosses) do NOT have your back. One family single handedly destroyed the lives of three staples soccer coaches. No investigation. The administrators were willing to fire coaches based on the words of ONE family, rather than hundreds of community supporters. So teachers, look out for each other!
Time for a new BOE, new athletic director, new superintendent and new principal. He was the most disappointing to me yesterday. Blatantly lying in front of all of his students. And throwing his coaches right under the bus. Shameful.
Scarice, Stafford, VJ and the entire Board of Ed except for Robert Harrington need to go!
I was unable to attend the ‘kangaroo court,’ but was getting regular updates from my wife and son, who were there in support of our beloved coaches until the end. What a joke this process was. If anyone is pulling together a petition to ensure this embarrassment of a BoE (minus 1) doesn’t get reelected sign me up. I know it’s been said, but it is worth repeating, our AD, who appears to be in way over his head, needs to go. Since taking the job, it’s been nothing but bad news for Staples Sports. Also, do I understand correctly that Principal Thomas could ‘not recall’ anything pertaining to this incident and subsequent meetings. He should be ashamed and step down immediately. This town deserves better. Coaches Russ and Chris have dedicated so much of their time and energy to our boys. With two boys who recently went through the SHS Soccer program under both Chris and Russ, I spent my fair share of time over a 6 year period on the sidelines. As a parent to a soccer captain, I also spent quite a bit of time with Russ off the field getting to know him personally. While I may not have agreed with every decision made on the field, never did I doubt his commitment and dedication for the boys (and program). This whole situation breaks my heart.
The school administration, the athletic director, and the board of education should be absolutely ashamed of how this was handled. A true abomination from the beginning. Total lack of transparency throughout the process even from the start of the process. The parents of the boys on the team were told throughout the process that this would be a transparent process and that we would be kept up-to-date. Never happened.
The coaches have always had the boys’ best interests in mind and have been phenomenally positive influences for the boys. I personally cannot see how any of the ‘transgressions’ supposedly made by the coaches rises to this level in any way.
We attended the meeting with our son so that he could see politics on a local level in action in Westport. What a mistake. What he saw was a mediator that was in no way impartial. He saw misjustice in the proceeding themselves as to what evidence was admissible and what witnesses would be allowed to testify and other irregularities to the say the least as other posts above have identified.
Decisions have consequences and I definitely feel that the board members should be ‘primaried’ so to speak over the next couple of election cycles when the board seats come up for election. I would be most interested to learn from those that have more knowledge about local government procedures to see how this can be appealed/escalated from here.
A true disgrace.
None of these BOE are electable again ! Most especially absenters
How do we remove existing board members when not up for reelection??? There has to be a way, right?
Pattern Recognition
Here we are again. The BOE and Superintendent Tom Scarice continue their pattern of questionable leadership, poor decision making, and detachment from the constituents they serve. What does Tom have on this BOE? Or is the BOE so ashamed and now have “buyers remorse” from hiring Tom, that they don’t want to lose face? Some of these BOE individuals have aspirations for higher office — both at the local and state level.
This level of continued gross incompetence is something to behold and never forget. But there are two things I know to be true: 1) Common sense isn’t so common and 2) Repetition never spoils the prayer.
So let I remind you:
1. How much taxpayer time and money are being squandered defending the incompetence of the Westport BOE and Superintendent Tom Scarice? As much as I hate to say it, I hope these coaches pursue all civil libel paths to personally hold all accountable individuals for the irrevocable harm they’ve created.
2. What autocratic decisions from Tom and the BOE are up next? Just wait for the cell-phone band vote at tomorrow night’s BOE. A topic that’s been exhausted at nauseam for over a year now. I expect another sweeping vote to support Tom — despite the fact that he’s proposed A BAN WITH NO PLAN. Literally, no metrics to measure success, no implementation rollout, no differentiated use between a 2nd grader and an 11th grader. When you ask these simple questions, the sounds of crickets appear followed by a heavy dose of jargon mansplaining that only a bureaucrat can do.
3. Detachment syndrome: gentle reminder, the current Board of Education will reportedly have ZERO students at Staples High School and ZERO children in any elementary school next year. How can a board genuinely represent the daily realities and urgent needs of the vast majority of the student body when its members are so far removed from those experiences? The Lord High Commander, Tom Scarice, resident of Madison CT doesn’t interact in this community, he just blows through funds defending his lack of leadership and not delivering on capital improvement needs, Westport traditions, or the wishes of the community he serves.
Last night’s vote and decision was predictable. But will it be enough for people to take action? Keyboard warriors and online activism is important – but showing up and not shutting up is even more important. I’m proud of those students and parents who tried to do the right thing on behalf of these coaches. Many of these BOE members and Tom could learn a thing or two about integrity, justice, and doing the right thing from those students. Sadly, they won’t. But there is hope when a community can come together to hold elected officials accountable. This is a community of kind, smart, and creative people that’s unfortunately being served by feeble, power hungry self-interest at the cost of student success.
Time for lawsuits and — oh, yes — DEPOSITIONS leading to $$$$ settlement for reputational harm for which the Da Lawyers (“kill all the lawyers” said Jack) will demand an NDA. (NDAs must die. ) Oh, and does Vince ever “respond” to anything?
Time for a town-wide Sports PTA-Booster again. With collectivity comes combined $. With combined $, good or bad, comes INFLUENCE.
Good coverage, Dan. Great responses above, you commenters. NOW, ACT. Time for comments is over.
Dan, any thoughts to the Westport Journal article today about this article? Seems like some high and mighty bs, you ask me
It’s not worth my time to reply, other than to say that the Westport Journal was not accused of anything. The Journal does excellent reporting, on a wide range of issues. I know Linda Conner Lambeck and Gretchen Webster, and admire their work. For those who want to read the Journal’s coverage of last night’s Board of Education meeting, here it is: https://westportjournal.com/palmers-pen/palmers-pen-responding-to-a-daggerwith-a-little-bit-of-swagger/
Hi Again- Just had an after thought or two.
It was pointed out by Superintendent Scalise that a lack of judgement had previously occurred by Coach Russ. The testimony I heard was that in 2022 there was a problem with teammates not acting like teammates to a younger player (not sure if a special needs student), that there was on field bad behavior and that coach instead of yelling in public, took the team into a nearby shed, closed the door (for some privacy)and then proceeded to read the team the riot act that he expected better behavior on the field (less yellow cards and ejection that are reported to the state- and there were none the following year) and better behavior toward all teammates. This “poor judgement'” was reported to and reviewed by the state and no action was deem needed and the inspector according Attorney Franklin apologized to coach Russ for having to investigate.
I would have thanked coach Russ for standing up for my kid and for Staples on field good reputation in that situation. And it was testified that the coach got the desired results the next year- no cards or misbehavior toward teammates!
At least when two of my sons were wrestling for Staples (80’s and 90’s)- I would expect the wrestling coaches to callout a wrestler for not showing good sportsmanship when needed (win or lose) and then get cited for poor judgement for not reporting the calling out/yelling to the athletic director – we wouldn’t have any coaches left or any wrestling team!
Also when the topic of recurring problems was raised – I recall that the tennis coach was also on the “not to renew” list but somehow that changed. But it was never clear, at least to me why a successful tennis coach made the “not to renew list” and subsequently why the recommendation to “not renew” was rescinded/overruled.
Just a few more observations.
well, for the time being, You can at least be sure Westport, CT kids now know definitions of * kangaroo court, * railroading, and * gas lighting.
this is, if/when the truth wins, going to be an expensive lesson for the town. I hope the governor of CT can step in and correct this before it’s not too late for the coaches involved to accept ‘just a correction.’
Based on this reporting, if one were in to conspiracy theories, one might conclude from yesterdays 5 to 1 vote that either 1) the BOE (and various others) are aware of certain things that aren’t public but there are valid reasons to not disclose, 2) someone has damaging info on the various BOE members (except Herrington) and put the squeeze on to get them to vote the way they did or 3) the BOE and all involved are all a bunch of feckless, sniveling, morons.
Personally, I can imagine various (low probability) scenarios that might make the first true however #2 and #3 seem a bit far fetched. More likely, the BOE considered a) did an incident occur and b) did the coaches behave/react in an appropriate manner then concluded the the answer to a) was “yes” and b) was “no”. If so, the fact that the coaches were beloved by the rest of the team, their parents various soccer alum and maybe the entire community is largely irrelevant. I mean, so was Bill Cosby.
The good news is, if the coaches believe they have been wronged, they can always file a lawsuit against the BOE and school administration. I look forward to seeing the filings and following the court procedures.
The other good news is that various members of the BOE are standing for election this year so the good citizens of Westport have the opportunity to toss them out of office or not elect them to the positions they are now seeking.
Bill – I can assure you it is not #1
Thanks!
Care to opine on #2, #3 or my “likely” scenario (which, if that was the case, you disagreed with)? Or if it was something else entirely being the “real reason” for the vote?
I can’t answer for other Board Members.
In terms of your likely scenario for me it was 1) yes, and 2) Yes
Being beloved doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never met any of them before.
My kids also didn’t play soccer at Staples – however as a parent and BOE member I would be proud to have Coach Russell Oost-Lievense coach and/or teach any / all of my children. They would be the lucky ones.
Thank you again!
For what it is worth, I have no personal interest in any of this. However, I’ve found the whole situation as a bit “off” from day one.
Having said that, if the incident was physical, where I’ve worked that would generally have been a reasonable basis for immediate dismissal. Not necessarily automatic, but sufficient reason, in and of itself, for termination. Verbal abuse only, possible, but unlikely, termination. Not reporting such an incident to HR, if observed, would have at a minimum been cause for some sort disciplinary action depending on facts and circumstances.
I’ve never worked in an educational setting, but I would think something similar would be the case, with the threshold for termination being much lower with respect to incidents with students.
Having said that, I would think reasonable people could disagree on the severity of the situation and appropriate response.
I was not able to attend unfortunately but spoke publicly in support of Staples coaches at a previous BOE meeting. In case it didn’t come out at the hearing, the “anonymous” tip about the incident at the retreat was made the day after the accuser was notified that he lost his starting position on the team [EDITOR’S NOTE: The tip was not made directly by the player or or his parents.[ This is not speculation but fact. For months the accuser had no problems with the incident at the retreat. This whole ordeal was one of, if not the biggest travesties and abuses of wonderful coaches this town has ever seen and I was born here, played youth sports, played 3 varsity sports at Staples and have coached hundreds of young student athletes. Words cannot due this situation justice.
Thanks for clarifying Dan. That said, no one can ever prove that the tip didn’t come in due to the student or the parents tipping the tipper. The timing is the story not who made the call.
I could not sleep last night. I can only describe my feelings as helplessness, rage against the machine.
I’ve been trying to think of an appropriate response, but there is none. I was present, and I can assure you all that no one left Town Hall the way they entered, and the descriptions of the proceedings are accurate.
Being on the BOE must do something to people. I looked at their faces and could not imagine that the people I was witnessing could be the same people we elected (except one).
I watched other BOE members shooting darts with their eyes at Robert Harrington and was even able to hear them try to tell him that he was outside his role when he offered a question or clarification that might be deemed helpful to our coaches.
I have no words to describe my feelings for the mediator and attorney for the administration. How about the BOE members feeding him the words to help him cross-examine Russ? Fixing his errors and encouraging him on?
I would be remiss if I did not mention the absolutely amazing job that was done by Beatrice Franklin the pro bono lawyer for the defense. This is a remarkable person who inspired the kids in attendance—who I suspect also had a very difficult time sleeping last night.
I did not leave town hall the way I entered. I think of all the frustrating, maddening, insulting and disappointing events and words of the evening, the one that I can’t shake was hearing that useless lawyer for the town speak on behalf of our administrators and repeat that ultimately…
“The superintendent, principal, and athletic director believe the soccer program will be better without these coaches.”
I suspect that my wife and I will have a difficult time sleeping again tonight.
Thank you Russ and Chris. I apologize on behalf of the town. You deserve better.
It looks like the 2025 playbook has reached Westport. What a shame.
Its been here for a very long time. One might say, with true Westport Exceptionalism, we invented the 2025 playbook.
I’ve worked with Russell nearly every day for four years and am proud to call him a friend and colleague. As teachers, we often have the protection of a union/tenure etc, but as a coach, he has been left vulnerable to false claims and full-blown distortions of the truth. Parents should not be able to tell lies concocted out of self-interest and get their friends to back their B.S. It’s absolutely absurd that this sham of a hearing was allowed to go down like that: evidence excluded, a biased mediator, no regard for fact. The showing of students and the outpouring of support should be a clear indicator of the kind of teacher and coach that he is. The defamation and emotional distress he has been subjected to this year are truly appalling and I hope that he can find justice at the end of this ordeal. Power-hungry school leaders should not be able to dig their heels in and cover their asses when they make a reckless decision. The truth matters, and Russell deserves to be heard and supported. He has dedicated so much of his time, heart, and soul to this team and it’s a disgrace that Westport Public Schools would throw all that away like it means nothing.
We should follow President Trump’s approach and strive for law and order. It is clear “coach” Russell did not follow protocol and fostered a negative environment that was hurting our children. He needed to go, and I’m glad the BOE finally made a responsible decision. As for this so called “protest,” maybe follow ICE’s lead and think about some deportations. I hear El Salvador is quite lovely this time of year!
I went to Staples with Russel in the same graduating class. We didn’t know each other well, but he seemed like a really nice, decent person who cared very deeply about soccer, even back then. I also think it is good for our town when people like Russel stay involved and give back to the communities they grew up in. Teachers and coaches who can claim Staples as their alma mater are a positive thing for our community. It’s always nice to have newcomers, but I think we prioritize polish over heart sometimes, and when we push away talented people who grew up here, people who want to keep contributing to the community, that’s really our loss. Teachers, police, coaches….when these people can grow up in Westport and then continue to work or even live in Westport, that’s a positive thing. I wish Russel the best and hope he takes heart from the many positive responses to his work, here and elsewhere. It’s clear that he made a big difference.
Thanks for keeping us all in the loop with this informative article.