BOE & Dinno vs the Scholars -- Newburgh School District Forum

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Date Posted: 07:08:40 08/13/19 Tue
Author: WHY? (“They’re dumb”)
Subject: BOE & Dinno vs the Scholars

Newburgh district quiet on Dinnocenzio re-hire
By Justin Fedich / Times Herald-Record
Posted Aug 12, 2019 at 11:28 PM

Newburgh Enlarged City School District won’t make an announcement on its winter coaching appointments during Tuesday’s meeting, raising further questions about the future of varsity boys head basketball coach Frank Dinnocenzio.

Dinnocenzio served the same position at Newburgh Free Academy during a 2008-09 state title season marred by athletes skipping classes and 2009-10 when six of his players accrued 1,187 class cuts. He has previously denied knowing this took place under his watch.

According to conversations with parents and coaches, Dinnocenzio has repeatedly clashed with parents and frustrated athletes during his first season back with the program last season. His behavior has led many to wonder not only how he got the position again in the first place but also how he hasn’t lost it yet.

Current players were unwilling to speak out for fear of punishment should Dinnocenzio return as coach. Many parents were either reluctant to provide their name or not open to speaking at all. They were, in many cases, trying to protect their children by either staying anonymous or declining comment. In some instances, they worked in the school system and didn’t want to risk job security.

Dinnocenzio’s name was on a list of winter coaches set to be appointed during the last meeting on July 30. The board voted against approving the motion to appoint the coaches. On Tuesday’s agenda, there is no item to address the appointment of coaches for winter sports. The reason hasn’t been explained.

Superintendent Roberto Padilla and the school board, as well as Dinnocenzio himself, didn’t respond to a request for comment. Communications strategist Cassie Sklarz sent a message that revealed effectively nothing. It read: “At this time, Dr. Padilla is not making any recommendations for winter coaches. Recommendations for the winter season will be on an agenda later this fall.”

Dinnocenzio was hired last fall over Shawn Coffey, the junior varsity coach and Matt Brown, the reigning boys varsity coach who still teaches at the school but no longer coaches. Brown said he was never told by the athletic director, superintendent or board of education why he was not being rehired last year.

“There was definitely a vendetta against me from a board member,” Brown said, “and they used that against me.”

Throughout the season, parents said, Dinnocenzio was unable to connect with the kids. He didn’t bother getting to know them, they claimed, and made questionable coaching decisions that angered parents, far beyond simply not giving their child enough playing time.

“My son came home frustrated a lot saying (Dinnocenzio) was passive-aggressive,” a father of one athlete said. That feeling permeated throughout the house. “It was very frustrating for me and my family. Very frustrating,” he added, releasing a loud sigh through the phone.

A mother of another basketball player said she noticed a change in her son’s personality when he returned from practice. “He wouldn’t eat,” she said. “He was depressed at times.”

Scott Kiernan, father of one of the kids on the team, said of parents who didn’t feel comfortable talking to the media, “They feel that Coach Dinno(cenzio) isn’t the guy to help our children. He’s not the guy to help our children get to college, do better in school, become a good young man. They feel the same way I feel.”

“We just want a coach that’s going to run it the right way,” Kiernan said. “Fairly.”

While none of those interviewed detailed activity that would result in immediate grounds for firing, the disapproval of Dinnocenzio was unanimous. When his hiring was announced, it was met largely with groans from the athletes and their families who were in support of Coffey. The players had enjoyed a successful junior varsity season under Coffey and felt he was the perfect fit to lead them at the varsity level.

“If given the opportunity,” Coffey said, “I’d like to continue to help them.”

A few months ago, parents wrote letters in support of Coffey to send to the school board. Some featured a disguised rejection of the negative actions they’d seen and heard about Dinnocenzio: “My son ... loved this coach (Coffey) and feels that he is fair in his treatment of all the student-athletes.” Here’s another: ”(Coffey) is committed to creating a positive learning climate for his students and athletes.”

Other letters were more blatant, such as this: “TIME FOR A CHANGE!!!”

Sklarz said on Monday she had not heard of letters being sent to the school board, which wouldn’t surprise parents who pleaded to the board for Coffey a year prior. “Nobody responded back,” Kiernan said.

The mother who said her son was depressed didn’t sugarcoat how she feels about the board members who had a hand in bringing Dinnocenzio back.

“They’re dumb,” she said. “Lord forgive me for saying that word.”

The father whose son came home frustrated said he believed his boy had a strong chance to play at the collegiate level. After graduation, he is still searching for a college and hopes to continue his basketball career. While the blame can’t be thrown completely Dinnocenzio’s way, the source admits that the coach did nothing to help his players develop.

That same father is asked, what did these athletes lose most this past season?

He repeated the question twice as he searched for clarity in his response.

“I think,” he said, “They lost out on an opportunity.”

jfedich@th-record.com

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Replies:

Who? -- terrible, 13:27:08 08/13/19 Tue
- How did Dinnocenzio survive? -- In the Know, 19:56:51 08/14/19 Wed
  - Hire Me -- Local Gal, 07:30:39 08/15/19 Thu