Parents react to hazing press release

Anya Tikka
Posted 8/21/12

GLEN SPEY, NY — Although the investigation into hazing inside the Eldred High School football team has been closed, and those found guilty disciplined, parents of the team members crowded the …

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Parents react to hazing press release

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GLEN SPEY, NY — Although the investigation into hazing inside the Eldred High School football team has been closed, and those found guilty disciplined, parents of the team members crowded the usually empty board of education meeting on November 13 demanding apologies for the way they felt their sons—and families—had been tainted by the language that was used in the initial press release about the incident. Some angry parents demanded resignation of the person who drafted the letter, asking who authorized it before it was sent to the public and press.

Greg Kolvenbach, a parent of one of the boys on the football team, demanded to know if all the board members knew the wording of what had been sent out.

“When the letter goes out like Mr. Dufour drafted, that has to be approved by the whole board?” he asked. “What I’m saying is, were you aware of what he wrote before it went out to the press?”

“The public relations person wrote the letter. Then it was approved by the school attorney, and then Mr. Dufour emailed it to all of us,” said Douglas Reiser, the chair of the board, who did most of the talking in the meeting.

Kolvenbach went on to express the outrage of the parents, many of whom first found out about the incident from the press release, and asked if it would have been better to send out a letter with less graphic detail and description of what at the time was an open investigation.

Reiser replied, “I hear you. I understand you; you made your point,” and “I’m not an administrator; I’m not a politician; I’m not a public relations officer.”

He continued, “When each of the people that we hire to do the job approves something, it’s very difficult for any one of us who don’t do that for a living to say something different. We don’t micromanage the district. I don’t have an office in the school. I’m just trying to do the best I can, and so are the rest. The only reason any of us volunteer for this job is because of your children, and if you think for one second we mean harm to any of your kids, you couldn’t be more wrong.”

The parents who spoke up at the tense meeting kept demanding closure, meetings and apologies from the board and administration. “It’s an open meeting, and we’re not allowed to comment outside it,” Reiser explained repeatedly in response to such demands. He later said he would look to see if something could be arranged with teachers so a healing process could start. He also said National Football League (NFL) had reached out to the school and there would be assemblies and other programs would be started at the school with their cooperation.

A press release on the district website from November 14 states:

“On Monday, Oct. 27, district officials became aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by members of the football team and launched an immediate investigation. The investigation revealed that over a three week period, members of the football team engaged in inappropriate behaviors. The investigation has concluded, and it was determined that the students involved violated both the athletic and district codes of conduct. Students have been disciplined accordingly as per the guidelines outlined in Eldred’s code of conduct.

“Young adults can sometimes make poor choices, but that does not mean that they are bad people. However, when horseplay crosses the line, it’s up to the adults—parents, teachers, administrators and community members—to step in and provide guidance and support. I encourage you as parents to talk with your children about these types of behaviors, as we are doing through our assemblies and winter student-athlete meetings. It’s important that we work together and continue to promote a positive learning environment.

“The district will be holding building-wide assemblies to address the dangers of hazing, as well as team meetings with all student-athletes for the upcoming winter season. Additionally we will be working in conjunction with the National Football League (NFL) to bring in experts and programs to promote good sportsmanship and personal conduct both on-and off-the-field.

“The district’s original press release described the allegations in graphic detail. It was not the intention of the board of education or superintendent to be provocative or otherwise offend anyone with the stark terminology used to describe the conduct. The intent was to inform. Be assured, the safety of our students is the main priority of the Eldred Central School District, and we remain committed to working with our community resources and our families to ensure the safety of all students.”

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