Jim Giovacchini — one of the most successful tennis coaches in the state — has been fired from his job as coach of the South boys’ team by the West Windsor-Plainsboro School Board.
Giovacchini was officially terminated from his position on Tuesday, March 27. The stated reason is that he spoke to a player on the team aside from the others — a violation of school district policy. The incident occurred in early March.
Giovacchini — who coached the team since 2002 — led the Pirates to several undefeated seasons and seven Mercer County championships in the last eight years — including last year. He has also taken the team to the state final three times in seven years. Last year, the team lost to top-ranked Livingston in the finals. He also coached the South girls’ tennis team in 2006 and 2007.
After the meeting, School Board President Hemant Marathe said the student was upset by the incident, and a written complaint was lodged by his parent via the district’s online complaint policy form.
“We don’t do anything unless it is a written complaint — then we have to act. The matter was scheduled for closed session and board members were aware of all the facts, having seen further correspondence. But [Giovacchini] requested a public hearing, which is his right, so therefore the vote was done during the meeting,” Marathe said.
Many people were not happy with the coach’s firing. About 15 parents and students showed up at the school board meeting in support of Giovacchini, and an online petition for the coach to keep his job was circulated in the days leading up to the meeting.
Giovacchini said he was unaware of his job status when he came to the meeting. “I left the team about 10 days ago after a disagreement with athletic director Martin Flynn that led me to believe that I was fired,” he said.
During public comments Giovacchini said he was not officially terminated, nor did he resign. He said after the disagreement Flynn escorted him off the playing field and asked him to return all school equipment and records. He says he complied and expected to receive a formal notice and explanation for his dismissal.
“I had no idea why I was dismissed, especially because last year I received my 12th satisfactory rating from the district,” the ex-coach said.
He was also unaware that on the agenda for the board meeting was a recommendation for his termination from Superintendent Victoria Kniewel. And Giovacchini, like his supporters, asked to know the exact reason he was being terminated. Kniewel specified his repeat violation.
“The recommendation was never discuss a team member with other students or adults, and to not have discussions with assistant coaches in an area where no one can hear the discussion. A specific interaction was also brought to the superintendent level last year, as well as in the past, creating a pattern of infractions,” Kniewel said.
Kniewel also spoke about the accountability and evaluation system the district has in place, saying that Giovacchini had multiple infractions that the administration considered.
“The incident is substantially similar to an issue handled last year by Dr. Aderhold (deputy superintendent of schools). There was an action plan written with a specific request for improvement. Ten days into the season there was a violation of the guidelines that were specified, in writing, to the coach,” Kniewel said.
The ex-tennis coach leaned forward in his chair and listened in disbelief. According to Giovacchini, Flynn wrote the following to him after last season: “congratulations on another outstanding season as our varsity boys’ tennis coach. Your record of 23-1 is just short of perfection, and can be attributed to your dedication, enthusiasm, and knowledge of tennis.”
Days after the incident Giovacchini says he called the district offices and said he would still like to coach the team for the 2012 season and fulfill his original responsibilities. But when he spoke during the school board’s meeting on March 27, his appeal to complete the season did not change any board member’s mind.
“According to the discipline statement witnessed by Russell Schumacher (WW-P special assistant for labor relations) it was not the intent of the student’s complaint to have me fired or removed from the program,” Giovacchini said at the meeting.
After the board meeting a sullen Giovacchini spoke with members of his former tennis team. He also met the parents who came out to support him, including Victor Wand whose 16-year-old son Thomas plays tennis at South. “I’m shocked,” said Wand. “I thought there was just a disagreement and I expected coach to continue on.”
