Finally named new V’ville b-ball coach

VOORHEESVILLE – After packed sessions and a petition where students and parents lobbied either for or against Robert Baron, he has been appointed to coach varsity girls’ basketball.

Baron, a former school-board president, is not a certified teacher. He runs Baron Construction Corporation.

The teachers’ union, which had threatened to sue if Baron were appointed, has decided not to, although it still claims the district violated the regulations of the state’s commissioner of education.
According to the commissioner’s regulations, "A person who does not hold a current New York State teaching certificate may be employed as a temporary coach only if there are no certified teachers available with experience and qualifications to coach the team."
In a letter to Superintendent Linda Langevin, Kathy Fiero, the president of the Voorheesville Teachers Association, wrote, "The District has violated the Commissioner of Education’s regulations in making this appointment. The appointed individual holds neither a teaching certificate, nor a professional coaching certificate. It is our understanding that he holds a temporary coaching license."
While participating in a community walk for ovarian cancer, Fiero said she learned from several residents that an individual with "appropriate coaching experience, who holds a valid and current teaching certificate" had applied, was interviewed, and was not offered the job.

Fiero e-mailed Superintendent Langevin about the applicant and his certification, she said. Langevin confirmed by e-mail that the individual had applied, but stated that there were problems with his certification, Fiero said.
"I looked into it with NYSUT’s help," said Fiero, referring to New York State United Teachers. "I determined his certifications were valid," she said. Because he is not an employee of Voorheesville and therefore not a member of its union, "I don’t have any legal responsibility for him," said Fiero, explaining why the union chose not to follow through with legal action against the district.
"Mr. Baron was the most qualified of all the candidates. We did a complete review of all the candidates, and he was the most qualified," Langevin told The Enterprise this week.
Regarding the applicant whom Fiero said is a certified teacher, Langevin said, "I know my review and my conversations with the board were done in a fair and objective manner, and Mr. Baron was the most qualified."

Baron could not be reached for comment this week.
Tom Dunn, of the State Education Department, said, "This seems to be a local matter."

Special meeting

Baron was appointed in a unanimous vote of the five school board members in attendance at a special meeting held on Sept. 17. Gary Hubert and Paige Pierce were not present to vote.

As of yesterday, there had been no official announcement from the district on the appointment.

The Sept. 17 meeting was posted on the district’s website on Sept. 14, Langevin said. It was also posted on bulletin boards around the school, as well as at the library and the post office, she said.
New York’s Open Meetings Law requires public notice of the time and place of a meeting scheduled at least one week prior be given to the news media and be conspicuously posted. Even in an emergency, public notice is to be given "to the extent practicable, to the news media" and to be conspicuously posted.

Typically a governing body, even when holding an emergency meeting, will call, fax, or e-mail the press about a meeting.

School board president David Gibson could not be reached for comment this week.

Hiring process

The search for a coach for the Lady Blackbirds first began in June after Coach John McClement resigned, following his approval to coach Albany High School’s varsity boys’ basketball team.

In the ensuing months, controversy emerged when rumors surfaced around the community that the board was going to appoint Baron over Dennis McCormick, an elementary school physical education teacher who coached the girls’ junior varsity basketball team for eight years.

McCormick resigned as JV coach after he was told he would not get the varsity job, Fiero said earlier.

Baron had been recommended for the post by the school’s athletic director, Joseph Sapienza. Langevin had considered recommending Baron for the school board’s approval but reversed herself after learning the teachers’ union would sue.

McCormick was appointed to the position at the Aug. 13 school board meeting; he declined the position for personal reasons. [See related stories on-line at www.altamontenterprise.com under archives for New Scotland for the following dates: Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Aug. 30, and Sept. 13 in 2007].
"The point is not even so much about basketball," Fiero said this week. "It’s about being confident, that when the district is hiring, it follows the commissioner’s regulations" and follows them honestly. I think we need to know that the interview process here is above board," she said.
Fiero said she is "very disappointed" in how events transpired.
"This is the second round of the same situation," said Fiero, who informed the board of her concerns regarding the commissioner’s regulations prior to the appointment of McCormick. ""I’m disappointed that, when information is presented, the board is not open to receiving it, or at least has not been. I don’t know if that will change," she said.

After McCormick declined the post and the search was re-opened, Langevin told The Enterprise that the process would "be more inclusive."

This week, Langevin said the district received seven applications for the job. Three candidates were interviewed, she said.
The interviewing committee — which before consisted of Sapienza, high-school Principal Mark Diefendorf, and associate Principal Michael Paolino — also included an elementary school teacher who has also been a coach, Langevin said this week. "It was done as clearly and as openly as we possibly could," she said.
The recommendation that Langevin received from the committee was that Baron be appointed, she said. She then made the recommendation to the board, she said. "The board is satisfied with my recommendation," she said.
"I’m very satisfied with the person appointed," Sapienza said this week. "I’m confident with that decision," he said.
"It’s really important the district uphold a high level of integrity," said Langevin. "We want to have the children involved in a quality program for athletics," she said.

The post

The girls’ varsity basketball team has been a point of pride within the community, with its history of winning.

As the varsity coach, Baron will work with the newly-appointed junior varsity coach, Elizabeth Ferency, as well as the freshman coach, said Sapienza.

The season begins on Nov. 5.

Sapienza said he is confident about both new coaches.
Baron has a passion for the game and is a student of the game, he said. He will have "clear-cut expectations and guidelines for the kids," he said. Baron will be able to provide continuity between the three levels, Sapienza said.
"He’ll really guide that program and manage all levels," he said. "He has a really sound basketball philosophy, and he’ll be able to articulate that to the kids and break the game down for them," he said.
Ferency currently works in the district as a student teacher in physical education, said Sapienza. She has previously coached as a volunteer at the junior-varsity level, and also played basketball in college, he said. "She’ll be a real nice fit," Sapienza said. "It’s a really positive thing to have a former college athlete who’ll be able to offer female athletes some guidance," he said.
"I’m excited everything is in place," Sapienza said. "We have new people in place that are dedicated and committed to the program," he said.
Langevin said that the board felt that Baron would provide an "excellent" basketball program for the girls in the upcoming season.
"We’re pleased he accepted the position," she said.
"We have done our due diligence and have not violated any regulations of the commissioner" We are in compliance," Langevin concluded. "We’ve chosen the very best coach for the basketball team, and we look forward to an exciting season."