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Published May 10, 2011, 10:29 AM

D-G-F staff frustrated with possible removal of basketball coaches

Dilworth, Minn. (WDAY TV) - Some coaches at D-G-F say that they're frustrated with the school board, saying they're not treating certain employees properly. It stems from the possible removal of both the boys and girls basketball coaches, despite a recommendation from the school's athletic director to keep the coaches.

By: Todd Kurtz, WDAY

  • Coach Molstre
    • image
    Coach Molstre chose not to go on camera, but told us his marks across the board were perfect and he's being supported by the principal and AD.

The D-G-F School Board goes through a renewal process each year for its coaches. The superintendent says typically, the board goes right down the list, taking the advice from the athletic director on who to keep; except in this case.

JOE ALTOBELLI - Assistant Coach: “both coaches are blindsided by this because they haven't gotten it from an athlete, a parent, and it’s coming straight from the school board."

Joe Altobelli has been an assistant under D-G-F girls coach Steve Molstre for five years. He's strongly backing Molstre, who's job may be on the line.

"It's frustrating."

A couple of years ago, the athletic director was asked by the board to start filling out evaluations for every coach. Players also filled out a similar evaluation. Coach Molstre chose not to go on camera, but told us his marks across the board were perfect and he's being supported by the principal and AD.

JOE ALTOBELLI - Assistant Coach: "Why the board thinks they know more or better than those 2 people that have lived it for 25 years, I don't know where they're coming from."

The two say this all stems from a single complaint, but neither the board nor superintendent will tell them what the complaint is, or who it's from.

School policy, signed off on by the school board, says a complaint should first go from player to coach. If it's not settled, then parents are brought in, followed by administrators, the superintendent, and then the school board. Altobelli says this case is backwards.

JOE ALTOBELLI - Assistant Coach: “If they keep handling things the way they are right now, you're not going to have coaches who stand by there beliefs because they're worried about keeping their job."

The team finished with 12 wins and 13 losses. The school board says it will not comment until the matter is completed. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 8 to talk about the future of the coaches.

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