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BEDFORD, N.Y. Standing behind the podium last week, Ayo Hart pleaded with the board of education to reconsider her termination as Fox Lane High Schools girls basketball coach. The Bedford Central School District let Hart go officially on Jan. 17 after 11 seasons of involvement with the team, her first two years serving as an assistant, and her final nine as the head coach.
The team was mid stride in its 2011-2012 season, which was one of the reasons why Hart said she was so distraught with the move.
I would never have walked out in the middle of a season, Hart said. My outrage, to be honest, was the fact I was yanked from the team midseason, as if I had somehow been dangerous to the children.
The Daily Bedford could not reach athletic director Beth Staropoli for comment after three attempts since last Friday. Staropolis secretary said she would not comment on personnel issues.
According to a statement made by Jere Hochman, the Superintendent of the Bedford Central School District, he declared that "the decision to make the coaching change was objective and based on the high standards to which we hold all of our coaches and employees. I recognize that everyone may not agree with the decision or those standards."
According to Hart, Staropoli told her that her commitment to the team was in question and that she lacked dedication because she had to miss a basketball game due to a job commitment. Hart said Staropoli asked her to resign, which she declined.
At the end of the day, its a difference of opinion. You cant tell someone theyre not committed, Hart said. What should have happened was maybe say, this isnt working and at the end of the season Im not going to open this position next year.
MaryAnn Carr, a parent of an eighth-grader in the basketball program at Fox Lane, said she was distraught to hear the news of Harts quick removal, saying that the long-time coach deserved better.
Its not due process. A teacher or any other administrative staff would not have been terminated in that way, Carr said. They would have been given some type of due process and I dont think that one or two people should decide whether that person should have been terminated.
According to Hochman, those on the outside of the situation should not "make assumptions or presume that our decisions are based on subjective and unfounded opinions." He noted that the decision was officially based on Staropoli's "supervision and observations."
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