Elson calls foul

This is round two for Elson, who successfully fought in May to save his teaching contract, in jeopardy over asserted self-control issues. Hearing from several impassioned parents and students/players, the board overturned its recommendation to terminate Elson, and approved his now-tenured physical education teaching position.

Following that, Elson says he was consistently assured by administration that he would also be renewed for the annual coaching job, and cited two strong letters of recommendation from Don Rolando, FHS athletic/activities director, and Kevin Grover, assistant to the superintendent. Both recommendations, which were read in excerpt by Elson, enumerated Elson’s coaching attributes including what was called his professional demeanor, exemplary role modeling, organization and skills.

So Elson says he is now confused by the administration’s announcement on Aug. 26 that it has decided to take the girls hockey program “in a different direction.” Elson said that he never received any hint of that sentiment by the administration either during coaching periods, or since. He noted that he and Rolando had never had a single discussion “about the direction of girls hockey.”

Alleging unprofessionalism on the behalf of the administration, Elson said that all the consequences inherent in a lack of honest and frequent communication, including the effects of rumor mills, have been manifested in issues at the school.

When Elson was under the threat of losing his teaching position, he said he was told “It is not about your teaching.”

“Maybe it’s not about my coaching either,” he said. “What is it then?”

The atmosphere tightened as Elson began describing his view on the alleged actions of another FHS coach and questioned “the direction of that program.”

As he began to recount his version of a situation in which he said the girls head volleyball coach “openly bashed and humiliated” a 17-year-old student who supported Elson, Superintendent Don Langan interrupted Elson by tersely calling him by his first name and warning him about identifying the coach.

Seemingly defiant, Elson proceeded to call volleyball coach Erin Shikowsky by name, and reported that the student had left the district as a result of Shikowsky’s confrontation with her.

“That coach is still there,” Elson said.

Kelly Gordon, in attendance, said she took great offense at what she considered untruths by Elson and his inference that individuals were being made promises of titles, because he heard that reservations had been made for the girls hockey team by “a girls hockey coordinator.” Gordon said she was that person who had responded to a request to make the reservations and had not been named a coordinator or a coach, and that it was a simple action to secure accommodations.

Elson implied that he felt there were underpinnings by Rolando and others to some rumors being circulated.

“Even as late as today, there’s a rumor that I have been too friendly with the girls,” Elson said. He emotionally expressed his view that he was a trusted adult who is favored by both players and their parents, adding that he felt the rumors were “an unscrupulous tactic to denounce my name.”

The father of two daughters who had been players under Elson’s coaching, made the statement that “the establishment isn’t always right.” He asked the board not to “run Elson out” like they had (in his view) Tim Melstrom, a previous FHS girls hockey coach from 1999 to 2006.

Elson issued an open invitation for all to come and witness the environment of girls hockey and his coaching.

Postings for the 2009-2010 positions of head girls hockey coach and assistant girls hockey coach ended on Thursday, and the board was required to finish interviewing in order to meet a recommendation approval for the meeting. Those personnel items were removed from Monday’s agenda.

But discussion by the board returned to the conflict with Elson on the issue of his renewal. Board member Roger Jerome said the board should take it seriously anytime administration makes a recommendation of non-renewal. He said he believed he was well-noted for disagreeing with the administration,

“I’m not comfortable hiring Mr. Elson right now,” he explained, but added that proceeding before the issue is “played out” would prevent a proper closure.

Langan clarified that Elson has 14 days from his notification of non-renewal to request the reasons in writing, after which the board has 10 days to respond. Elson then has the right to request a hearing. The board approved tabling a hiring decision to accommodate this process, with member Stuart Nordquist in opposition. With the hockey season less than two months away, Langan advised the board to act expediently.

Elson’s combined record in his three-year FHS girls hockey career is 29-47-2. In his second season, the relatively new program hit its peak with a 2007-08 record of 13-13-1.

For an additional report on the Falls School Board’s regular meeting, see the Wednesday edition of The Daily Journal.