Chanting “We want Russ back!,” “Fire VJ!” and “I don’t recall!,” over 200 students walked out of class and rallied in front of Staples High School this morning.
They supported Russell Oost-Lievense — the boys soccer head coach whose contract non-renewal was affirmed by the Board of Education on Monday — and opposed those board members, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, and Staples principal Stafford Thomas and athletic director VJ Sarullo.
“I don’t recall” referred to Thomas’ answers during testimony on Monday. More than a dozen times he said he did not remember events leading to the decision to not rehire Oost-Lievense, who coached at Staples for nearly a decade and had been a captain there before graduating in 2008.
(Photo/Ryan Allen)
Using megaphones, rising captains Dylan Shackelford and Gabe Hellman addressed the crowd.
Alexis Krenzer, a girls soccer player who is coached by Oost-Lievense on her club team, also spoke.
Calling Oost-Lievense a coach who taught her “the importance of integrity and heart — not just in soccer, but in life,” she said, “We’re not here to cause disruption or disrespect. We’re here to stand up for what’s right. We’re here to support Russell, just as he’s supported every one of his players.
“We’re here because fairness matters. We’re here because those in power should be held to the same standards they ask of us. And we’re here because even though staying quiet might be easier, speaking up is what’s right.”
Alexis Krenzer (Photo/Ryan Allen)
One speaker — referencing Oost-Lievense’s work as a special education teacher, and an opponent of bullying — noted, “Russell had our back. Now it’s time to have his.”
Another said, “This was clearly a biased and flawed process. No one should be treated with disrespect. Accountability starts now.”
Across the street 50 parents, alumni and news media watched the rally. The crowd included BOE member Robert Harrington — the only one to vote against Scarice’s non-renewal recommendation — as well as Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella, attorney Steve Shackelford, and Oost-Lievense’s mother.
Supporters on North Avenue. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The students acknowledged Harrington, with a cheer. They also asked “Where’s the board?”
With police nearby, Thomas watched the proceedings at the entrance to the school.
Staples principal Stafford Thomas. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
The walkout was organized by an ad hoc group called #WreckersforRuss.
On social media, they said:
We’re not just walking out for Russ.
We’re walking out for:
— Every coach and teacher who shows up for us.
— Fairness and transparency in Westport.
— A system that actually listens to its community members.
(Photo/Ryan Allen)
They asked “What really happened to Coach Russ?” Their answers:
It wasn’t about abuse. It wasn’t about harm.
It was about a system that chose silence, blocked witnesses, ignored facts, and punished the wrong person.
We’re sharing this so everyone understands: This wasn’t fair. This wasn’t thorough. This wasn’t right.
Russ stood up for us. Now we stand for him, and every coach and teacher who could be next.
Gabe Hellman (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Organizers also noted the coach’s testimony from Monday, describing his father’s death when Oost-Lievense was a junior at Staples,
He said that some of his father’s last words were: “Look after the ones who look after you.”
“He’s done that,” organizers of the rally said. “But the administration didn’t do the same for him.”
(Photo/Ryan Allen)
(Photo/Dan Woog)
Inside the school, moments before walking out. (Photo/Zach Beebe)
The start of the walkout. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
(Photo/Ryan Allen)
The view from above. (Drone photo/Michael Cammeyer)
(Photo/Ryan Allen)
Returning to class. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Marion Oost-Lievense. (Photo/Dan Woog)