Despite Petition, Ridge PE Teacher and Lacrosse Coach Transferred to Middle School
Parents tell school board that Ken Marsh is a valuable teacher in his current position.
Photos
Ridge High School physical education teacher Ken Marsh, who also is head lacrosse coach, will be moved to the physical education staff at William Annin Middle School next fall, despite an attempt by parents to persuade school officials otherwise.
A group of parents, bearing a petition with 75 signatures, asked the Board of Education to halt or modify the transfer from the high school to the middle school, effective the next school year. Following presentation of the petition and comments by parents, the Board of Education unanimously on Monday voted without comment to approve the move as one of many teacher assignments for 2011-12.
School Superintendent Valerie Goger said at the meeting that the transfer was the result of Marsh having the proper certification to teach health classes at the middle school. A vacancy of a certified male teacher to teach the subject was created when two non-tenured physical education positions at the middle school were eliminatied, Goger said.
About a half-dozen parents, accompanied by others who sat in on Monday's Board of Education, said that Marsh not only has been a winning and supportive coach for the boys lacrosse program, but he also has had an "open door" policy that has allowed students to feel they can speak freely with him.
"He allows the boys to grow up in the program, to become scholars and athletes," said parent Mary Palladino, who said her three sons have been coached in lacrosse by Marsh.
Palladino was among the parents who said that Marsh also guided students in obtaining admissions into choice colleges, even those not lacrosse students.
Students also feel they can "shoot the breeze," with Marsh, she said. "These kids think more of him than just being a coach," Palladino said.
Parent Tony Otero said that Marsh mentors the students as well as bringing the team up to the All-American level in the past two years, and three of the past five years.
Palladino and other parents said they are concerned that Marsh will easily find a lacrosse position elsewhere. "It's hard [for schools] to find lacrosse coaches," she said.
Otero and other parents joined in parent Rita Zarabara's plea that school officials at least split Marsh's assignment between the two schools, basing him at the high school during the spring lacrosse season.
The middle school is not on the Ridge schedule, and that also will affect his ability to be quickly available for practices and away games, Zarabara said.
Nearly all the speakers asked the question of why the Board of Education and school officials would change an arrangement that is working so well.
"The kids need him," said parent Robert Schmidt. Many of the students are under pressure and turn to Marsh for guidance, the parents said.
Zarabara and the other parents said Marsh's reassignment is being viewed by some people as a demotion, a suggestion that had Goger bristling.
Later, Zarabara said that she herself does not view the move as a demotion.
Goger told the parents that she was upset that people were looking at a teacher's move to William Annin Middle School as a demotion.
Goger said such a view was "insulting" to middle school teachers, and that the move was the result of Marsh having the proper certification for an open staff position.
"Our primary concern can be teaching," the superintendent said. "We can't just put anyone in the high school. We need the person who is going to be best for the middle school."
Goger added that the school district has 13 varsity coaches, and about half of them are based elsewhere than the high school.
The school board approved the transfer without comment.
Following the meeting, Board President Susan Carlsson said the board members do not routinely question the school administration's recommendations regarding staffing assignments.
Zarabara said in a later email, "I find it very disappointing that not one of the nine elected BOE members acknowledged any of us after our comments during the BOE public forum (Monday) night. They did not thank us for coming and speaking, acknowledge that they understood our position, or comment on the issues our students are facing. They opted not to even postpone the vote on this teacher transfer so that any possible options could be considered."
goridge
7:54 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
Zarabara should be embarassed when she indicated that the move would be a demotion. How insulting that is to every middle school teacher. She should apologize to the staff.
Rita Zarabara
9:00 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
Oh No! You misinterpreted the article or the way it was written. The comment was that a few parents in town that heard about the RHS teacher getting moved to WAMS had asked why. They expressed that the move of a teacher from RHS for a varsity coach was viewed as a demotion in the community. That was not my sentiment. I was relaying what I had heard being asked. My comment was to inform the BOE and administration that this was the perception that some had and to ask the BOE to assure the public that the RHS teacher was not being moved for any other reason but to meet staffing needs. The teachers at WAMS and throughout the district are wonderful. The issue before us is that a teacher with seniority (12 yrs), tenure and certifications is being moved to wams and other teachers with less credentials and less years in district are getting to keep their positions. Why is this? Is this fair? Because of this, parents are questioning the move. I felt the BOE needed to publicly address the issue and reassure folks. I also believe the teacher deserves this to preserve his reputation. My point was that we need to be fair and loyal to the employees that have served us well in district.
lu ann silveri
9:04 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
As for Rita apologizing, she has nothing to apologize for.
First , if anyone has a problem with the word "demotion" you can address me! I made so many other points that were just ignored and this was picked up, because Valerie Goger was able to deflect our legitimate concerns by making this an issue. Of course this has nothing to do with the William Annin Staff . It's not part of the issue at all! And I also used the word punishment.
I consider it to be a demotion because Marsh has tirelessly for the high school kids going above and beyond. this is his reward, being moved to a position he doesn't want.
I could write of reasons why this situation was handled wrong from the beginning, from the pool of "2" that were interviewed for the move to the ultimate "going through the motions" at the meeting.
Not one BoE member had the backbone to at least suggest the vote be postponed and consider other options.
The decision was made before they walked into the room.
Our concerns were met with blank catatonic stares.
The petition was not looked at.
We were made to look ridiculous because they had no intention of considering our request.
They never thanked us for our thoughts.
Then after this dog and pony show, WE were chastised and accused of insulting the William Annin staff.
I AM INSULTED AT THE LACK OF RESPECT SHOW TO US AND THE WAY WE WERE SPOKEN TO WITHOUT BEING LISTENED TO!!!
Apolgies are in order, but to us!
LuAnn Silveri
Tony Otero
3:22 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
If 'goridge' were truly insulted, he/she would have the courtesy to better understand the background and the impact. Please call me as my number is in the Ridge HS phone book. There is no apology needed by Rita or any of us for supporting a cause that we believes is right.
During the BoE meeting public comments, the use of the word 'demotion' was preceded by the adjectives 'perceived' or 'role' and we acknowledged that this proposed transfer is not a job demotion. We have respect and appreciation for every teacher in Annin and it is truly very unfortunate that two teaching positions have been eliminated.
I will explain in the next post....
goridge
6:16 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
I am glad that you acknowledge that this transfer is not a job demotion. I value every teacher in Bernards Twp and believe that they all "build" the child. Perhaps, this transfer will prove beneficial to the program as he will now have contact with younger students. It sounds like he is a great teacher who will be able to contribute to the middle school.
Tony Otero
3:22 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Part 1
The real issue is 'personnel action' that will have broader impact than the BoE, the superintendent, and the schools have considered. Our children are fortunate to have a dedicated teacher in Ken Marsh. Our student-athletes are fortunate to have him act as the boys lacrosse coach. Along with the parents and the student-athletes, his contributions have resulted in growth of the program (presently ~100 boys lacrosse student-athletes and ~400 in the Ridge Youth Sports program), good grades in the classroom (better focus on grades and time management), success on the field (last two years the team has been to two state title games, and won the Group 3 state championship and a tournament of champions game), and in attainment of student-athlete primary college choices (look up the Ridge Boys Lacrosse Alumni web college page). Lastly, our student athletes have been recognized with All-American, Academic All-American, All-State, and All-conference awards. Are these achievements not what our high school and our community is all about?
Tony Otero
3:22 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Part 2
Yet, after our public comments were made, the superintendent chose to focus on the 'demotion' word tactically deflecting away the concerns that compelled us to gather 75 signatures and to bring the matter before the school and the BoE, that 1) with 12 years experience at Ridge HS, Coach Marsh should have never been moved, and 2) the decision was made in the narrow confine of 'education' rather than in the broader context of education, athletics, and community.
We respectfully requested that the BoE postpone the decision for another month, reconsider its impact, and creatively craft a better solution. We even provided some preliminary suggestions and are certainly open to alternatives. In response we received blank stares and a deflection speech by the superintendent informing us that the "decision is made" (she actually said this in advance of the vote). Our concerns and emails on the matter remain unanswered.
The superintendent and the BoE are jeopardizing the hard work benefiting our high school students and student-athletes. We remain firm in our request that the transfer of Ken Marsh from Ridge HS to William Annin MS needs to be reconsidered and a more creative approach needs to be crafted.
SZ
8:35 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Good luck with your efforts! I can also vouch for the benefits of HS teachers who are coaches and the positive support they provide to the kids. It's about the education of the whole child, which includes more than just teaching in a classroom. Unfortunately, it is probably politics as usual that drives these decisions and not what is in the best interests of the students. If you need to broaden your efforts to garner support, then say the word. I'm sure there are many parents with kids in other sports that would support your efforts.
Mary
10:39 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
I am concerned that Rita's comments during the meeting were misconstrued by some after reading this article as evident by the first comment above. She in no way said that going to Annin is a demotion. She as well as I said that when you move someone who does not want to be moved it is viewed as a demotion by some. Those who were unaware of the whole situation created by the BOE decision to eliminate 2 district PE positions questioned his move and the reasons for it. That was the reason for her comment to the Board members.
Obviously, the Annin teachers as well as the district elementary teachers are a talented group who prepare our children to be successful at Ridge. Their skills create the foundation for their success at the high school level and beyond.
This all takes away from the fact a valued teacher from Ridge 12 years in the district was moved leaving 80 lacrosse players with no lacrosse coaches in the building during the day. Lacrosse is now the only outdoor sport without a coach at any level in the building. Uncertainty about weather and field conditions for practice and games will have to be addressed at the end of the day leaving many parents wondering.
Mary
goridge
6:18 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
What about Ski Team, Tennis, Volleyball? They all have coaches at the High School?
Mary
10:32 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
The both the Tennis and Ski teams have the assistant coach at the high school. They can keep the players informed about weather conditions that affect practices and games/meets. Volleyball is an indoor sport and not affected by field conditions. Their practices and games are unaffected by the weather. The players don't have to wait till end of the day when the coach arrives to find out the field conditions for matches or practices and how and if they are affected. The rain this year caused havoc with schedules as their season starts in March. Games were cancelled, moved to away games, practices changed or cancelled all together. All the calls to let their parents know whats going on won't begin till 230. A real challenge for all parents and players. Having 80 boys waiting around till any coach arrives is not ideal.
goridge
7:14 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
I was under the impression that the coaches kept the players informed through texting and emails. If that is not the case - then it would be hard for the boys to plan the day.
I think that the PE department is down position because of the number of students who opt out of PE. Why not have every single athlete opt back into to PE - then they would have to hire a teacher back? Perhaps that would be another organizing strategy?
pirates
7:39 am on Monday, June 27, 2011
all you guys need 2 chill
time2binformed
9:36 am on Sunday, July 10, 2011
We get it, Ken Marsh is a great teacher....and so were the 2 who were let go. At least Ken has a job still. And aren't the soccer coaches at different schools than the high school? It seems they make it work just fine with their countless, successful seasons.
lu ann silveri
3:57 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
The part that everyone doesn't "get" is that Ken is a great teacher but the high school level is what sets him apart from others that should have been considered.
He has helped countless students with his knowledge and connections to colleges.
During the day kids come into his office on a steady basis asking him about colleges and he gives them much of his free time. Many boys have been selected to excellent colleges for lacrosse but also he talks to all students about their choices as he did with my daughters (who were obvioulsy not on the boys lacrosse team.)
He will not have the time, therefore the connections for this any longer if he is at the middle school.
Again, the board decided to change a situation that was working perfectly without considering other options.
Guess that what he gets for going above and beyond. Other teachers, beware....