Avon Coach Quits In Dispute About Student Drinking

AVON (AP) — The varsity boys’ basketball coach at Avon High School has resigned following a dispute with school officials about student athletes who were punished for drinking.

Tim Curtis, a history teacher and basketball coach at the school for 14 years, said he resigned December 3 as head coach because he refused to follow an administration order to rescind game suspensions he imposed on two senior starters.

The boys were suspended after admitting to drinking before attending a pep rally on school grounds in late October, Mr Curtis said.

He said he barred the boys from playing in the first three games of the upcoming season, a decision that extends beyond the administrative in-school suspension they’d already received for a similar incident at a school dance last year, he said.

“I’ve seen several kids die as a result of drinking and driving in the Farmington Valley,” Mr Curtis said. “If someone doesn’t step up and do something here, Avon’s going to be next.”

Mr Curtis, who will continue his job as a teacher, declined to name the boys.

Administration officials said they told Mr Curtis to rescind the suspensions because his punishment went beyond what school policy allows.

The policy calls for students who are caught drinking outside of their athletic season to be suspended, but not from playing in future games, Superintendent Richard Kisiel said. The penalties are tougher for in-season offenses.

Mr Kisiel said Mr Curtis “exceeded his prerogative.”

After parents of one of the suspended players complained, school officials consulted a lawyer for the Board of Education. Mr Kisiel and Avon High School Principal Larry Sparks directed Mr Curtis to rescind the suspensions.