For months, Westporters have wondered about the incidents that led to the non-renewal of Staples High School boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense, by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
A few details emerged during the coach’s appeal hearing in May, before the Board of Education.
But many other details were not made public. Scarice and/or the mediator for the Board objected to 7 witnesses, and dozens of emails and other evidence. The mediator also objected to every attempt by Oost-Lievense’s attorney to introduce information that, she said, would prove that the non-renewal was “arbitrary and capricious.”
Much of that information is contained in a lawsuit brought by Oost-Lievense, against the Board of Education. It was filed in Stamford Superior Court.
Russell Oost-Lievense
Oost-Lievense levels several charges against the BOE, including violation of his rights during the appeal.
His complaint details a 2022 incident, in which the coach addressed bullying by freshman and junior varsity players.
It also describes in detail an incident before the 2024 season, during a team-building retreat; Oost-Lievense’s handling of it; a complaint filed nearly 2 months later about it; and the post-season banquet that resulted in a charge of “insubordination” against the coach.
Oost-Lievense’s suit also includes information about false allegations made against him at a public BOE meeting; the roles of the Board’s “mediator” and their regular attorney, who at the appeal hearing represented the superintendent, Staples principal and athletic director; exclusion of evidence and witnesses; conduct of the BOE during the hearing; alleged conflicts of interest by 2 members, and more.
Oost-Lievense is seeking damages for loss of income, reputational harm, emotional distress, punitive damages — and a reversal of the non-renewal decision, or a fair appeal process.
Click here to read the full complaint, as filed in Superior Court.
Members of the Westport Board of Education, and (4th from left) the board’s mediator, at Russell Oost-Lievense’s May 12 appeal hearing.
Go get’em, Coach!
Thanks for championing this travesty Dan‼️🇺🇸
Due to your good reporting, it seems likely that the Board will agree to a generous settlement with Westport taxpayers’ money. That way they can seal all the records from public disclosure.
I hope not. Too many sealed records. Hopefully everything is made public!
Make part of the deal the Superintendent, a total failure, has to immediately resign with no chance of ever working in the Westport school system again! I would think his resignation plus 1.3 million dollars would do the job!
I would include the AD as well.
In light of this latest development with significant new information, it will be interesting to see how the Board handles the upcoming performance review for Superintendent Scarise that was noted in the Westport Journal last week.
Hopefully the Board will finally demand, at the very least, a thorough investigation into the soccer coaches’ suspensions/non-renewals and an examination as to why such an investigation never transpired in the first place.
How could a town like Westport end up with a loser like Thomas Scarice as Superintendent ? Mr. No Common Sense.
I am happy to hear the Coach is continuing to file his case. It seems to me he was not allowed a fair chance to defend himself properly
Although I am the least litigious person I know, I am happy to read that this lawsuit is underway. There is something about how this whole incident went down that just isn’t right. I am so sorry that Coach Oost Lievense was treated as he was by the Westport Board of Education. What a travesty.
Agreed!! Go on Coach! Fight for your rights!
I won’t claim to know all the details with this case. What astounds me is the number of people who claim to!! Very unfortunate case which ultimately serves to create less incentive for the many many people out there with a sincere desire and ability to coach kids. Tough environment for coaches and administrators when a complaint is filed these days given parents and $$. Similar to today’s dearth of umpires & refs. There will undoubtedly be a settlement which Westport taxpayers will pay. And a lot of bad feelings will remain. Let’s hope the kids have a good coach and season in the upcoming year.
There exists a surprising lack of integrity inside the Westport BOE and the Superintendent office. Their pompous wall of arrogance and obstinance is unprofessional and below the standard they are supposed to represent. The elephant in the room…..is there a strong but silent group hiding behind the Board?
Maybe he should refuse a settlement and go for a 20 million dollar win. That’ll teach Westporters to make sure they put common sense people into positions of authority!
No one who sat through the Long Lots School fiasco should be in the least surprised that the BOE has no notion of, let alone respect for, due process and the right to be heard in a full, fair and respectful manner.
We should not tolerate a should all speak out against this kind of kangaroo court behavior.
Larry, Any way to file a lawsuit?
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
— Martin Luther King Jr
In his effort to right this wrong, Coach Russ is showing us what it truly means to have character, why it matters to stand up for what’s right, and for those who don’t know, what real integrity looks like.
Don’t give up! #LFG
Good thing that the Staples AD named a new soccer coach on the afternoon before July 4th when no one was paying attention.
This should be great entertainment. Can’t wait to see what the town files in response. Accusals of false allegations are great. Now we finally get some depositions under oath. I hope they are all unsealed.
I’m heading to S&S right now to pick up some Orville Redenbacher. Or do we have a boutique gourmet popcorn outlet nearby?
Hey Bill I hope you see this,
This young man’s life and lively hood and reputation has been torn apart. That! is not entertaining!
Having just read the complaint, having attended the marathon Board of Ed kangaroo court hearing, talked to some of the soccer players at that hearing and seeing Mr Harrington’s informed description of the behind the scenes machinations before during and after the hearing- this reeks of being a failed administrative attempt to repeatedly sweep under the rug a total mishandling of a non incident at every level from beginning to end- from the AD, the Superintendent, the Board leadership to the legal representation and “impartial” adjudicator!
Sadly- one of the best school systems in the state will get a costly and failing grade administratively and legally on this one!
It will be enlightening to see what a real court thinks of the Westport Board of Education’s kangaroo court proceedings!
Thanks Dan for posting this article and the lawsuit. It’s a shame that coaches have to go to court to get the hearing that they should have been able to offer at the administrative level. This would never have happened under Marty.