To the editor;
I do not ordinarily get involved publicly with issues regarding our school system, as my children are grown and gone; however, as a person who continues to support various Central Aroostook High School sports teams, I cannot remain silent on this important issue.
Recently I (along with several other concerned citizens) attended a school board meeting in support of Wallace Endy, former coach of the Central Aroostook boys varsity soccer team. Mr. Endy has been a successful coach of the team for six winning years.
It appears, however, that because of a recent applicant for the same sport, the school administrators felt a need to shuffle around the coaches who held the position for the boys and girls varsity teams. As a result of these changes, Mr. Endy was relieved of his position.
I could see the need for these changes had Mr. Endy not been successful in his position or had he done something against school policy; however, having been given only the cause as, “He doesn’t discipline the team enough” or “The team under his coaching gets too many yellow flags,” I cannot understand the reasoning. Honestly? Give me a break. He has coached “his” team for six years. Not once has he been warned or reprimanded for either “offense” until the board found it necessary to give this new applicant a coaching job.
And why was a “rush” to get the “new” coaches’ contracts signed before the specific meeting? This is again, out of the ordinary, so it’s obvious what the rush was. Another “sneaky” move by our school leaders — I wasn’t born yesterday.
Upon attending the school board meeting, it was obvious that the team members (who also attended the meeting) love and respect Mr. Endy very much; as do the community members who attended in his support (and many others who were not able to attend). To remove him from his successful record coaching this team for the reasons given, is totally unsupported. Would it not have been fairer to at least meet with him and give him a warning and an opportunity to improve rather than just fire him?
One might argue that I do not have all the facts. Perhaps, but when I asked for facts, this is what I got, the substance of this letter. If there are more, why are they such a big secret? I understand privacy, but I also am very familiar with the unjust actions of our school leaders over the years.
We try to teach our young people fairness and good sportsmanship; however, when our school administrators do not live by these standards, how can we expect more from our youth?
Joyce Sylvester, Mars Hill
