Dunbarton Recreation Commission Minutes of 2-16-04

Present:Jacques Belanger, Kim Vaillancourt, Terri Francoeur, Annie Carney, Karen Lessard & Jean Leo

Meeting began @7:10

 

Scott  Ives discussed his version of the incident in the gym on 1-28-04.  Scott Ives stated that John Sullivan made a polite request to the high school students to get off the court.  Scott Ives also addressed the content of the letter from Bill Carney.  He felt since Bill Carney was not there he didn’t know what took place.  Scott Ives’ main issue is the coach should decide who should be on the court and that shouldn’t be challenged by a parent. 

John Sullivan stated the team before theirs usually runs 10 minutes late so they’ve been running late with their practice.  He felt there was a safety issue and that is why he yelled at the high school students to get off the court.  He apologized for his actions.  He felt it was a safety issue and stated he would do it again.

Beth Beaugeard stated her son’s team waits 10 minutes on Monday nights because of the team before them.  She stated about 80% of the teams does this. 

Brian Pike stated he takes full responsibility as head coach and stands behind John Sullivan’s actions.  He also stated it should never happen again.

Bill Carney stated his son’s opinion was correct.  The problem here is not black and white and we should agree to disagree and move on.  Bill Carney stated coaches represent our town and they should be held to a higher standard of behavior. 

Vicki Kelly stated her daughter is on the team involved.  Vicki Kelly stated that the team before hers does not run late and that particular evening the first team was off the court at 6:30 but her daughter’s coaches waited about 10 minutes to start practice until everyone arrived.  Vicki Kelly also stated that her daughter heard her coach call an adult a name.

Karen Lessard stated her letter said it all.  Karen Lessard stated that a parent from the girl’s team said she wasn’t yelling.  She stated that it is not appropriate for adults to yell at high school students and she wanted John Sullivan’s anger away from the students.

Jean Leo stated the high school boys did not take over the court but that they were waiting at half-court.   She stated she was proud that one of them spoke up for the high school students.

General consensus was that there are several aspects of this incident. Everyone is in agreement that it should never happen again and that the forthcoming policies/procedures/codes of conduct should help.

 

Update on Policies/Procedures/Codes of Conduct – Rec members were given drafts compiled by KimVaillancourt and Jean Leo.  A work session is scheduled for March 1 @ 7pm.  Things to think about are keep the coach application simple, consider background checks(cost, procedure, etc).  Coach/Program evaluations have been mailed.

 

Linda Morse and Beth Beaugeard inquired about the Penacook Tournament.  Tony ? is the director of the Penacook tournament.  Brian Pike stated he knows Tony ? well and will get his last name and phone # to a Rec member so that Rec can look into it.  Annie Carney gave Brian a list of Rec members and their phone #’s for him to contact when he has the information.

 

Terri Francoeur has been receiving phone calls to reserve seats for the bus trip to the Flower Show in Boston on March 13th.

 

Rec determined that it is necessary to get more bids on the electrical work. Jacques and Kim will inquire.

 

Purchase of shed was discussed.  Rec decided on a 10 x 12 shed and will need permission from the selectman for location.

 

Terri Francoeur will look into possible bus trip to Fenway.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Leo