IT'S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME

At the last LSC meeting a group of parents representing the LYNN PARENTS ORGANIZING FOR A BETTER EDUCATION (LPOBE) were in attendance. They spoke at the OPEN MIKE about the perceived injustices of denying an ATHLETIC WAIVER for a boy transferring from CLASSICAL to ENGLISH. Both parents testified to the fact that given their proximity to ENGLISH (walking distance) that going to CLASSICAL (transportation necessary) was presenting an undue economic burden.

Supposedly this boy started in at CLASSICAL because that’s where most of his friends from middle school (BREED) went. Fine, from what I understand his mother paid the necessary transportation costs his freshman year. He played football and I am not sure he made VARSITY or not but he clearly was GOOD, so clear that they labeled him an IMPACT player.

His mom says that she convinced him to transfer to save her money; the coach at ENGLISH even let him practice. The coach at CLASSICAL got wind of this and apparently felt there was some recruiting violations happening and the waiver was DENIED.

Now mind you a small crowd approached the OPEN MIKE and they had their own SPANISH translator. Yeah, it was some of THOSE people, except when the boy is carrying a football he is one of US.

Anyway it appeared that they were not favorably received at OPEN MIKE. The group had a prepared statement that they were not allowed to finish reading because of time constraints. It was a procedural thing. Even though it was a group of eight or so, procedurally they only counted as one and they were only supposed to have three minutes. Other people were waiting to speak, including me.

After the reading of their written statement was cut short, the mother of the boy testified about the economic hardship that his going to CLASSICAL placed on the family and urged that her son be allowed to play football since it was so important to him and that he even hoped one day to get a college scholarship based on his ability. There had been some CONFUSION about the APPEALS hearing and for whatever reason they had not been present or had their reasons considered.

A WAIVER (Form 200) can be denied if the TRANSFER is ATHLETIC based. From what I could gather, the boy’s principal residence did not change but according to testimony from the mother, she feels financially unable to continue to support her son’s attendance at CLASSICAL.

All of this played out at OPEN MIKE and ALL sides had a right to present their view. The session is not designed to start a debate or discussion, only a presentation of opinions. No votes could be taken; no results could be immediately forthcoming.

What did result was that it was put on the agenda for an athletic subcommittee next time to review the athletic transfer policy and that’s what happened on 9-27-12. This time though it was before a subcommittee with NO open mike so no one could speak unless they were spoken to. Guess who was spoken to? It wasn’t parents. I didn’t recognize everybody but I believe it was athletic directors, administration officials, ENGLISH principal STRANGIE and CLASSICAL principal CONSTANTINO. Most of the talking came from CONSTANTINO (I didn’t actually time it, it just seemed like it to me) and the reasons for a DENIAL were gone over and I mean who could argue with a man with such history, such stature (I remember my High School principal, MR.  CURRY, an ex-marine with a statue of a bull dog on his desk), besides he was surrounded by his posse

We listened to a presentation about how settled things were now with the current transfer policy in place and not being ensnared in the horrors of the old days. Because of a meeting in front of the MIAA officials where DR. LATHAM took a bullet and promises were made that no further transgressions would be made. Anyway doubts and dispersions were cast about how disingenuous THOSE parents were. No specifics were given so there wasn’t a need to label anyone a liar. Neither were addresses discussed which would have proven transportation costs, establishing or eliminating financial reasons for the transfer.

This posse admitted that there were NO written guidelines for the appeals process and yeah there should be. We will get right on that. Oh yeah, we probably should put it in other language cause THOSE people like to play sports too. Not to worry though, in THIS specific case they had to have been told by the PARENT INFORMATION CENTER. Everybody knows they’re good about that stuff.

Long story short though, we learned that when push comes to shove:

DR. LATHAM HAS FINAL SAY ABOUT THE WAIVER.

Take the credit or take the blame.