The members of the Nutmeg Board of Education want to do what they can to improve student achievement in Nutmeg, which has been lagging in comparison to neighboring towns. The problem has been that there is no money for new programs or for hiring additional staff members. But after a “workshop” last week, the Board members came up with a way for the Board to encourage students to study harder and improve their performance at no cost to the school district.

At the conclusion of the discussion, veteran Board member Bob Bombast stated, “In Nutmeg, we are proud of our student athletes, and we want to be even prouder of them. So I propose that our student athletes at the high school must maintain a B average to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities, starting next year. We know that our student athletes have the capacity to become ‘scholar athletes!’” The other board members chimed in, gushing about how great it will be for student athletes to up their game academically. Mr. Chairperson then invited Bob to present the motion. With no further debate, the Board voted unanimously that, starting in 2019-2020, Nutmeg students will have to carry a regular load of five classes and maintain a B average in their courses to be able to participate in extracurricular activities.

The initial public reaction was surprisingly positive, and the Nutmeg Bugle published an editorial congratulating the Nutmeg Board of Education on its creativity. However, the Nutmeg Boosters expressed opposition to the new policy, and Coach Rock even tweeted that the Board would only implement this new policy “over my dead body.”

Bob Bombast was incensed to read of Coach Rock’s opposition to the policy, and he tweeted back at Coach Rock, “No loser coach will tell the Board what to do.” Soon, battle lines were drawn on social media. The Nutmeg Boosters declared that the new Board policy was illegal because, as a member of CIAC, Nutmeg was bound to following the CIAC eligibility rules, which do not require that student athletes maintain a B average. Bob shot back on Facebook, calling the Boosters’ claims nonsense. Bob also pointedly warned Cock Rock in a series of tweets that he had better either get with the program or find himself another job.

Concerned over this continued controversy, Mr. Chairperson called a special meeting, posting it for “Discussion regarding employee insubordination,” and he asked Mr. Board Attorney to provide a legal opinion on next steps, which Mr. Board Attorney promptly provided.

The room was packed with supporters of Coach Rock. Nonetheless, after calling the meeting to order, Mr. Chairperson convened the Board into executive session for the purpose of discussing Mr. Board Attorney’s legal opinion on next steps. Coach Rock was irate at this turn of events. “I am warning you,” he shouted as the Board members cleared the room for the executive session. “You better not be discussing me. I demand that you do that in public!”

Can the Board have an executive session discussion of Coach Rock and his part in the controversy over higher standards for participating in extracurricular activities? Continue Reading