Glen Rock Board Member Says There Was Reasoning Behind Basketball Coach Snafu

GLEN ROCK, NJ — In a twist to the recent snafu involving the hiring of a new girls' basketball coach at Glen Rock High School, one board member, who's up for re-election, said he had to vote the way he did in order for the situation to work out properly.

Some community members were angered on Sept. 23 when the school board approved the hiring of a girls' basketball coach from outside of the district, instead of Junior Varsity Coach Sara Wolman, who had been long praised for her work. READ MORE: Parents Start Petition Over Glen Rock Girl's Basketball Hire

Soon after the new coach, Joseph Kirk, was hired, he resigned and Wolman accepted the spot.

Board member Dan Corey posted on Facebook on Thursday that "You deserve transparency and we all owe you an explanation. So, I will start with mine. There are confidentiality rules which limit how much I can say, but I want to be clear on several points regarding the initial failure to hire Sara Wolman...

"In board discussion prior to the public meeting, I advocated that the best coach for our students is ALWAYS the one who shows dedication to build confidence in our athletes ... Mr. Kirk was in the audience the night of the vote on his hiring. He heard the community’s passionate advocacy for Ms. Wolman. From all I experienced leading up to the vote, tabling this vote would have dragged this out by weeks. It would also add risk it would not resolve the issue. Approving Mr Kirk, who also witnessed and responded to the community’s advocacy, let his prompt resignation clear the way for Ms. Wolman’s hiring. Instead of a 3 week delay until then next BOE meeting, GRHS girls basketball had the head coach they needed just 36 hours later..."

But he added that he'd learned a lesson: "Getting to the right outcome must never again rely on a gamble, and I will carry this dear lesson on how to be a better vocal advocate in this board."

Read his full post here.

Not everyone was impressed by the explanation.

Former board member Elizabeth Kramer Carr, who resigned at the meeting and walked out, responded, "You seriously did not call me out for holding up my morals and values. Wow! Classy!! If Sara was deserved of the position then why did you vote for the other guy Dan? I'm calling you out in public on this."

See the other comments here.