THE CASE

THE CASE

What Happened?

In fall 2024, a verbal disagreement took place between a student and an assistant coach during a team retreat.
There was no physical harm — and both individuals resolved it with apologies and a hug.

Coach Russ was accused of not reporting the situation quickly enough.

That’s it.

The “Investigation”

Between October and December, the school launched an “investigation” that:

  • Interviewed no students

  • Blocked 8+ witnesses from testifying

  • Withheld dozens of emails and evaluations

  • Resulted in inconsistent testimony from administrators who said “I don’t recall” over and over again

Despite this, on May 13, 2025 — after a 14-hour hearing where 150+ supporters showed up — the Board of Education voted 5–1 to uphold Coach Russ’s removal.

🔥 A Tale of Two Coaches

What makes this even more outrageous is what the Board didn’t hear.

Just six weeks earlier, at a March 25 meeting to discuss Staples’ next football coach, 2024 team captains raised serious concerns about one of the final candidates: an assistant coach accused of bullying players repeatedly.

They shared:

  • Film sessions so intense they left players in tears

  • A culture that pushed players to the edge, some even considered quitting

Athletic Director VJ Sarullo had known about these issues for over a year.
The former head football coach had also asked him, multiple times, to discipline this assistant.
The assistant coach couldn’t even get a reference letter from the head coach he worked under for four years.

And yet — he was promoted to head coach on April 2.

The Board Was Denied This Information

At the hearing:

  • When Russ’s attorney tried to question Principal Stafford Thomas about the football bullying allegations, the district’s attorney objected.

  • The mediator shut the question down.

  • The Board was told: “We are not trying another coach here.”

When one board member, Robert Harrington, said this was relevant — he was dismissed.

Why This Matters

The Board was asked to decide whether the superintendent’s actions were “arbitrary and capricious.”
But they were not allowed to hear the evidence that proved it.

  • A coach accused of bullying multiple students was promoted.

  • A coach who stopped a single verbal outburst — and acted immediately — was fired.

  • The hearing process was controlled, filtered, and manipulated.

This isn’t just about Coach Russ anymore. It’s about a pattern. One where evidence is blocked, students are silenced, and accountability is for some — but not others.

This Could Happen to Anyone

If this is how leadership handles fairness and due process behind closed doors, what happens when you raise a concern? When your kid needs support? When your teacher speaks up?

This affects all of us.

Coach Russ is not the only one at risk. This precedent tells students, teachers, and the entire community:

  • Your voice doesn’t matter

  • Accountability is optional for those in power

  • Truth can be ignored if it’s inconvenient

We’re not okay with that. And we’re not backing down.

Evidence Archive (Coming Soon)

We’re working to make all public records, hearing clips, transcripts, and excluded materials accessible to the community. Stay tuned.