A local school board upholds its Principal's decision to punish students and their coach.
Monday night, the Wisconsin Rapids Board of Education voted not to recind sanctions against a wrestling coach and the team, amid mixed reaction from residents.
A criminal case against four wrestlers accused of harassment continues next month, but Lincoln High School Principal Ryan Christianson has already decided on a punishment. The coach will miss the team's first four meets, and the players will not travel to The Clash or The cheesehead tournaments.
Fans, parents, and former players and coaches petitioned the board Monday night to override the ruling.
"Anybody who has boys, and I have 5 of them, knows that boys get into horseplay," said Diane Thompson, whose children wrestle on the team.
"Sanctions that would be educational rather than punitive could be considered," said a fan.
"This punishment penalizes the entire team for the alleged actions of a few," said longtime wrestling coach Dave Glinecki.
Still, a lone speaker argued the restrictions don't go far enough.
"There is a place for punishment, there is a place to send a message that no, you're not only over the line, you were way over the line," he said. "It is built into the culture, it is going to change, and it is going to change now."
After the comments the board called a vote. They unanimously decided to maintain the sanction against the coach because he failed to attend and argue otherwise. They also unanimously upheld the plan to miss the two major meets.
Board members assured the community that there will be enough staff to ensure the safety of the team in the absence of the coach.
The district is working on drafting a new employee handbook. Among other items, it will outline harassment policies.
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