NORWICH – The Norwich City School Board of Education convened at its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday night to discuss the appointment of personnel recommendations, and more specifically, the decision to re-appoint high school girls varsity basketball coach, Josh Bennett.

The meeting opened with public comment affording community members an opportunity to speak directly to the board of education.

Five people addressed the board each offering support for Josh Bennett's re-appointment and their opinions on what they believe the board's role should be in the district.

“People are advocating to run to the board of education versus standing up and addressing the issue head on,” said Todd Hansen, parent to two student athletes in the Norwich school district. “Chain of command is vital in every walk of life.

“In the calendar that [the BOE] sent out, you are very specific regarding communications and the route to follow. Any questions about athletics, there is a process: If you have a problem, you talk to the coach. If it isn't resolved, you talk to the athletic director. If it still isn't resolved, you talk to the superintendent. The reason we are here today is that we stepped outside of policy and chain of command.”

Assistant NHS girls varsity basketball coach Dennis Eaton said, “While the total number of people impacted by a coaching appointment pales in comparison to more impactful issues facing this board, frankly, this is my fight, and my daughter's fight."

"I ask these members before us to look at my daughter Halea, and explain why a man who has given his time, effort, and passion to Halea – and all the kids that he works with daily to give them every opportunity to success – why is he being portrayed as a bad influence on her and her fellow classmates?”

BOE President John Klockowski said the reason Bennett's position is in question is because of “serious allegations” made against the coach by “several parents.” The nature of these allegations was not made public due to being a personnel matter, nor would it be known who made the allegations.

“It's easy for individuals to come here and speak on behalf of Mr. Bennett, I know that you're passionate about what you believe,” said Klockowski. “But for parents and other players and community members to come up here and speak to us, it's a very difficult situation for them because they are in fear of retaliation.”

Klockowski offered a motion for the board to vote on personnel recommendations on a line-by-line basis, as opposed to voting on it as one item.

“Is this a way of separating Josh [Bennett] from the other appointments?” asked board member Joe Stagliano.

Klockowski maintained that was not the case, to which Stagliano replied, “The reason is to vote Josh off, that's the reason, let's be transparent.”