Austintown board keeps softball coach

Melody Rice is back in the dugout after a 3-2 vote.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- The school district's varsity softball coach has her job back after a majority on the school board changed its mind about firing her.
Melody Rice, who vowed to fight for her supplemental coaching position all the way to court if necessary, was expected to be back on the job Tuesday night, said schools Superintendent Doug Heuer.
The board voted 3-2 at a special meeting Tuesday morning to rescind consideration of terminating her coaching contract.
The board had voted unanimously at its Jan. 10 meeting to suspend Rice while it took 60 days to consider firing her from the position, which she's had since 2004.
Conflict of interest
The teachers union had said at the January meeting it would support her, with representative Sandy DeCerbo questioning the propriety of board members Michael Creatore and Richard Zimmermann voting on the issue when their daughters have been involved in the softball program.
Creatore told The Vindicator after the January meeting that his daughter Alyssa quit the team because of Rice, and Zimmermann said his daughter Amanda wanted to quit.
Creatore also said there were numerous complaints about Rice from parents and from varsity players. He took issue with DeCerbo's statements.
"I find it sickening you would have a teachers union say we had a vendetta when we don't," he said.
He said Fitch High School Principal Doug McGlynn and athletic director Joe Nohra had recommended that the board fire Rice after they received the complaints.
Plenty of support
Rice did not attend the January meeting, but it was standing-room-only as her supporters crowded into the media room at Fitch. Among those supporters were about 20 softball players who told The Vindicator they were confused and disheartened by the controversy.
They said it clouded their focus on offseason training and that a candy fund-raiser for a hitting clinic had to be canceled.
Some of them spoke to the school board, urging it to allow Rice to keep her post because she is dedicated, hardworking and knows the game.
Creatore said Tuesday afternoon that those girls were younger players who had never been coached by Rice. He said the varsity players who complained were afraid to come forward, so their side was never well-represented in the media.
The Vindicator obtained eight complaint letters from the school district. Six appear to be signed by varsity players, though the signatures are blacked out. Two are from parents, including one who indicated he is a former coach.
Complaints included Rice "playing favorites" on the team and making the players run after they made mistakes instead of "perfecting our mistakes."
Other writers said Rice had a temper and yelled at the team after lost games.
"On many occasions, individuals were pointed out in front of other teams, parents, and fellow teammates," one said.
Denies motive
Creatore also said that the issue was never about playing time.
"My daughter started almost every game," he said.
Rice is expected to sign an agreement to terms for her return today. Creatore said he does not want to discuss the agreement until it is final. Heuer said he will release it after it is signed.
Rice said she wants to comment.
"Just not now," she said.
She was expected to be at practice Thursday evening with pitchers and catchers.
Two of the three board members who changed their minds, Joyce Pogany and Dr. David Ritchie, were not available to comment on their reasons. Traci Morse Merlo was contacted, but said she did not wish to comment at this time.