Students support ousted coach
They plan to attend Monday school board meeting
Sunday, November 9, 2008 6:17 AM EST
By Norb Franz, Macomb Daily Staff Writer
Some Center Line High School students upset about the firing of a popular soccer coach plan to take their complaints to top district officials.
The students, including members of the girls varsity soccer team and the boys junior varsity squad, believe Jeffrey Barbiere got a raw deal. They plan to present signed petitions opposing his dismissal at Monday's meeting of the Board of Education.
"We find it hard to believe someone would question Mr. Barbiere's character," said Jessica Brown, the team's goalie on the girls team.
Brown said team members learned
Barbiere was removed from both coaching roles by administrators at the high school for not being an adequate role model for student-athletes and showing poor sportsmanship.
Barbiere, known to students as "Mr. B," also teaches social studies at the high school.
"We don't understand how he's not a good role model to coach, but a good enough role model to teach," Brown added.
Phone messages left for Center Line High School Principal John Summerhill on Thursday and Friday were not returned.
Superintendent Judy Pritchett said coaches serve in an at-will capacity, meaning they serve at the pleasure of administrators. The district's top administrator confirmed Barbiere was relieved of his coaching roles Oct. 30.
She declined to comment on the reasons, but pointed out the move does not involve Barbiere's teaching duties.
"It's a personnel issue, so obviously I'm not going to comment on the reasons," said Pritchett, who also declined to provide details about a paid suspension of Barbiere a few years ago.
Attempts to reach Barbiere for comment were unsuccessful. He was hired as a teacher in January 2000. He has taught continuously at Center Line High since then. He was appointed to coach the boys junior varsity and girls varsity squads in the 2001-02 school year.
A few students began circulating petitions on Wednesday, collecting approximately 300 signatures including those from about 30 parents in the first day, Brown said.
"We know Mr. Summerhill is doing it because he didn't like him," said senior Dany Antoon, 17, who played on the Panthers' junior varsity squad.
"This is all just personal."
The boys squads recently wrapped up their seasons. The girls soccer teams begin play in March, with the ouster of Barbiere forcing school officials to find a replacement coach.
"We have not even posted" the opening, Pritchett said.
Star Curley, vice president of the Center Line Education Association, the union representing the district's teachers, declined comment.
URL: http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/200 ... 001215.prt
© 2008 macombdaily.com, a Journal Register Property
They plan to attend Monday school board meeting
Sunday, November 9, 2008 6:17 AM EST
By Norb Franz, Macomb Daily Staff Writer
Some Center Line High School students upset about the firing of a popular soccer coach plan to take their complaints to top district officials.
The students, including members of the girls varsity soccer team and the boys junior varsity squad, believe Jeffrey Barbiere got a raw deal. They plan to present signed petitions opposing his dismissal at Monday's meeting of the Board of Education.
"We find it hard to believe someone would question Mr. Barbiere's character," said Jessica Brown, the team's goalie on the girls team.
Brown said team members learned
Barbiere was removed from both coaching roles by administrators at the high school for not being an adequate role model for student-athletes and showing poor sportsmanship.
Barbiere, known to students as "Mr. B," also teaches social studies at the high school.
"We don't understand how he's not a good role model to coach, but a good enough role model to teach," Brown added.
Phone messages left for Center Line High School Principal John Summerhill on Thursday and Friday were not returned.
Superintendent Judy Pritchett said coaches serve in an at-will capacity, meaning they serve at the pleasure of administrators. The district's top administrator confirmed Barbiere was relieved of his coaching roles Oct. 30.
She declined to comment on the reasons, but pointed out the move does not involve Barbiere's teaching duties.
"It's a personnel issue, so obviously I'm not going to comment on the reasons," said Pritchett, who also declined to provide details about a paid suspension of Barbiere a few years ago.
Attempts to reach Barbiere for comment were unsuccessful. He was hired as a teacher in January 2000. He has taught continuously at Center Line High since then. He was appointed to coach the boys junior varsity and girls varsity squads in the 2001-02 school year.
A few students began circulating petitions on Wednesday, collecting approximately 300 signatures including those from about 30 parents in the first day, Brown said.
"We know Mr. Summerhill is doing it because he didn't like him," said senior Dany Antoon, 17, who played on the Panthers' junior varsity squad.
"This is all just personal."
The boys squads recently wrapped up their seasons. The girls soccer teams begin play in March, with the ouster of Barbiere forcing school officials to find a replacement coach.
"We have not even posted" the opening, Pritchett said.
Star Curley, vice president of the Center Line Education Association, the union representing the district's teachers, declined comment.
URL: http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/200 ... 001215.prt
© 2008 macombdaily.com, a Journal Register Property
Comment