TWO WEEKS LATER AND BASEBALL COACH INVESTIGATOR STILL NOT HIRED.

Two weeks after announcing that an outside investigator would be hired to review the school district's findings of harassment and bullying by Columbia High School baseball coach Joe Fischetti, no one has been appointed for the review.

Superintendent John Ramos, who revealed on Feb. 22 that the district would spend up to $5,000 for the investigator, told Maplewoodian.com Monday that no one had been hired.

But he added, "we're almost there. It should be by tomorrow."

At issue are claims against Fischetti for alleged harassment and bullying of some players.

Randy Nathan, the parent of a former player, filed several claims of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB), which the district found to be valid.

Another former player, David DeFranco, filed a lawsuit last month claiming similar allegations.

At the Feb. 22 meeting, the school board voted, 6-3, to reappoint Fischetti for another season, but also indicated his situation would be reviewed by an outside investigator. As Ramos noted last night, that person has yet to be hired.

Stay tuned!