By Rebecca ShalomofF
During the emotionally-charged May 7 Lawrence school board meeting, Andre's supporters and detractors packed the Lawrence Middle School auditorium for the decision.
When the school board voted 4-0 with 1 abstention to grant him tenure, several teachers held up signs, saying Shame on you. Many then stormed out of the meeting.
Board members Frank Argento, Dr. David Sussman, Chickie Granet and Kathy Raquet Barry all voted in favor of tenure. Frank Parise abstained, while Dr. Sol Blisko and Dr. Asher Mansdorf were absent.
The board decision came after superintendent Dr. Mark Rosenbaum recommended tenure.
A few days ago the Board of Education and I received some personal communication from Lou Andre, in which he expressed his feelings about what occurred this year, Rosenbaum said. Mr. Andre acknowledges there have been instances where he has said things that are not truly reflective of who he is as a person.
For the benefit of the community, I might add that at no time was there a confrontation between Mr. Andre and an assistant coach in which he used anti-Semitic language.
Most importantly to me, Mr. Andre states that he intends to dedicate himself to actively fostering positive values and respect for all people, regardless of race, color or religion. To make amends he has offered to take more extraordinary steps, including turning back his entire coaching salary for 2002-2003 season to the PTA Scholarship Fund. In addition, he has offered to do community service, performing coaching clinics for non-public school students and their coaches.
Argento said, I believe he has done everything he can do to correct the situation that was unfairly mishandled by our staff.
Tuesday's meeting came two weeks after a board meeting broke out in chaos when the school board tabled the tenure decision on Andre and refused to allow audience members to speak about the coach, citing it as a personnel matter. Board members had to temporarily adjourn the meeting and threatened to call it off if tempers did not calm down. Police also were called to keep the peace.
The controversy over Andre's tenure has polarized the Lawrence school community with many supporting Andre's tenure while others called for him to be let go from the school district.
In February, district officials launched an investigation into a personnel matter between Andre and junior varsity coach David Yaker. It stemmed from a September 2001 confrontation in which Andre allegedly threatened Yaker and made anti-Semitic remarks, sources said.
This wasn't the first time Andre, who boasts an 85-34-2 record in 13 seasons as a coach at Massapequa and Lawrence, has come under fire. While Andre at Massapequa, he held a practice on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, even though his superintendent, James Brucia, told him not to. He was suspended for a week. Months later, he resigned.
An investigation into Andre's conduct was launched in Lawrence after Yaker unhappy with the response his complaint received from athletic director Pat Pizzarelli brought the matter to school principal Dr. Steven Kussin, sources indicate. Pizzarelli supported Andre and recommended him for tenure.
