Monday, May 16, 2016

CHS BASEBALL COACH INVESTIGATION A CASE OF HURRY UP AND WAIT SOME MORE

If you've been waiting to find out the fate of Columbia High School baseball Coach Joe Fischetti, it may take up to two more weeks.

Superintendent John Ramos announced last week that the outside investigation into claims of alleged Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) by Fischetti against players may not be completed for another two weeks.

Ramos said outside investigator Leroy Seitz has still not completed his review that began in February, but is expected to finish by Memorial Day, more than three months after his hiring.

You may recall that the district hired Seitz to review its own investigation that found Fischetti had allowed harassment and bullying of at least two former players.

Despite that, and a lawsuit filed by one of the former players, the school board on Feb. 22 voted to re-appoint Fischetti as coach this season by a 6-3 vote. Board members Johanna Wright, Chris Sabin and Elizabeth Baker voted against the re-appointment.

At the same meeting, Ramos announced that an outside investigator would be brought in to review the findings. It was later revealed that investigator was Seitz.

He said then it would take two to four weeks. 

The team, meanwhile has completed a 12-7 record and plays again today at Montclair Kimberly Academy, with its last game set for May 18. That means the investigation will be completed after the end of the regular season.

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