Not Too Late to Help Ousted Swim Coach

I attended my first board meeting at the Oxnard Union High School District on July 23 in support of swim/water polo coach Larry Rafaelli, who was suspiciously fired on the last day of school this year, after months and months of fighting for a new pool and improvement of the old pool’s dilapidated condition.

After more than two hours of agenda coverage, the meeting was finally opened up for the public to speak.

After every three-minute speech, a rousing applause filled the room, especially after Kathy Rafaelli. She passed out questionnaires to the board members. She then asked them to answer some questions she had concerning her husband, including:

Had any of the board members ever been to a swim meet and actually witnessed the interactions between her husband and the swimmers?

Had they seen with their own eyes any signs of “abrasiveness” toward the kids?

Had the fact that this year was the start of an increase in the salary of the coaches based on seniority anything to do with their decision to fire Rafaelli, who has been there more than 20 years?

She went on to state that she needed these answers for her three children, who she and her husband had raised to believe in the system (taking matters before the board). She indicated that now she doesn’t know what to tell her children because their father, who always taught them to take care of problems the proper way, did just that and was fired for doing so.

There were teachers, coaches, parents, members of the community and swim students who voiced their overwhelming support.

What was so overwhelmingly apparent was the fact that most speakers did not limit their remarks to those of dismay, disappointment and surrender. Instead, they all implored the board to reconsider its decision, even though a new swim coach has already been hired.

It can be done. Will they do it? There is always the next board meeting to find out. I will certainly be there again. You can come too. Has Coach Larry Rafaelli had any impact on your life, or the lives of your loved ones? The next board meeting is Aug., 13 at 7 p.m. at 309 S. K St., Oxnard.

NORMA BREDA

Oxnard