County investigation clears Countryside's Schlereth

Countryside High School principal Gary Schlereth has been cleared of allegations that he harassed baseball coaches after they benched his son.

“I cannot conclude that, in fact, the principal abused his authority to influence playing time for his son,” wrote Pinellas County schools athletic director Nick Grasso, who conducted the investigation.

Schlereth, 50, declined to comment this week.

In April, the school district’s Office of Professional Standards launched an investigation after former Countryside assistant Tracy Paulton filed a complaint against Schlereth.

Paulton’s complaint contended that Schlereth pressured the coaching staff to get better playing time for his son Nick, a senior.

In the complaint, Paulton said the trouble began early last season after Nick Schlereth compiled a .077 batting average, striking out seven times in 15 at-bats, and was benched. After that, he said, Gary Schlereth “abused his power” and began harassing coaches.

That did not happen, Schlereth told the Times in April.

“I have not confronted any coach out here about my kid’s playing time,” he said.

Paulton made his complaint the month after then-head coach Darnell Coles resigned because of time issues and problems with “out-of-control parents.”
Paulton said Wednesday he was fine with the investigation’s outcome. He said is pleased that the matter was investigated and that coaches now know that they have a place to go when they have concerns.

“The investigation brought light to a dark room,” Paulton said. “There was too much being said behind closed doors that needed some light. Hopefully out of this, coaches will now know that they have an avenue and that someone is going to listen.”

Kevin O’Sullivan, a former assistant baseball coach at Dunedin High School, has been named Countryside’s new coach. O’Sullivan, 37 and a teacher in Pinellas for nearly four years, also will teach math at the school.

-- An excerpt from a Times story by Demorris Lee

To read full story, click here http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/21/Northpinellas/Principal_cleared_of_.shtml

-- JOE SMITH joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[chs player]

Pinellas Country schools good ole boy system at work. Everyone on the team knew what was going on. Hell, everyone in the county did. Nick would talk about his father all the time. We all knew why he played. This is a miscarriage of justice. This loser kid, and his father get away with messing up our season. I hope you're happy Nick.

[Jack]

The new coach better hope Principal JR has graduated or is not playing ball this year. If he's smart- he'll cut him during try outs.
I'd love to see the actual paper trail from the "investigation." What a crock.

A senior is senior and they earned the right to play. Happens like that every year at every school......When does football season start anyway....

[chs player]

A senior earns the right to play just because they are a senior? So if that senior is only on the team because his dad is principal he should play over talented juniors? What a load of bs.

Didnt this whole circus already have another thread? This is such a non-story its not even funny.

All of the slighted parents and kids, get over it. You are coming across very, very badly! You scared one coach away, then tried to take down a principal. You won on the first account, but failed at the second....just accept that.

And this coming from someone who has absolutely nothing to do with baseball, never mind CHS baseball.

AMEN to football starting!!!

[Oh My My!]

"Good Ole Boy Network" is exactly right! I wonder if Mr. Grasso interviewed Coach Rannick (since he's not in the school system anymore)?

It was a well known fact that he left the baseball staff becuase he became Schlereth's "whipping boy" because he was the only coach on the staff of the school!

Taking your badge off in a classroom and saying that you're talking as a "parent" and not the "principal" is still an abuse of power! No other parent could do that - could they?

How about Pinellas Schools implementing impartial investigations instead of just taking them on "in house"?

Do you really think that if they did "find" something, that they would embarrass the school and the system by admitting it? If he did do something wrong (which he did), they will just stop him from getting a promotion, or quietly re-assign him to another school.

"Rumors" said that Principal/Parent was supposed to go to the Area Office after his recognition for bringing up reading FCAT scores at the school - maybe his punishment is to stay at CHS. Who do you think is actually suffering that penalty?

One day something like this is going to come back and slap this school system right in the face!

GRASSO COULD NOT INVESTIGATE A BATHROOM HE WAS A TERRIBLE PRINCIPAL AND A MAN OF MANY WORDS. HOPE THE AD POSITIONS KEEPS HIM

[Ray]

Was there an article about Perry Lopez FINALLY getting fired at Clearwater?

[SPORTS FAN]

Who investigated this? Inspector Barney Fife? There was overwhelming evidence incriminating Schlereth. This story is NOT over.

[Craig]

Hey Ray
what this about Lopez getting fired?
That guy was awesome- he really could motivate the players
Plus he never took any crap from the umps.

[Tyler]

I have played for Kevin O'Sullivan. He was my pitching coach at Dunedin and I will promise that there will be no more problems at all with these parents. "Kemo" as we called him will not tolerate any crap from both the parents and the players. Also, I am confident that he will conduct his practices like boot camp as he did while at Dunedin during conditioning (or Camp Kemo).

I hope this new coach does well at Countryside......it has been a real embarassment to read what parents and coaches have written on this blog. Let's bring back football.....

[chs player]

Countryside is a joke. The principal should have been at least reprimanded.

Greatg job Grasso.

“I cannot conclude that, in fact, the principal abused his authority to influence playing time for his son,”

There is a ringing endorsement. Not even a I don't think he did it.

Gee....I am guessing that having your dirty laundry aired on a public forum is a bit of a reprimand......

[Hah-hah!]

Are you kidding me?

Someone in an organization abuses his power and then someone in that same organization conducts an "investigation" and declares him innocent?

What a JOKE!

Kevin O’Sullivan is a loser. He can't teach math let alone coach. Countryside will be looking for a baseball coach next year.

[DHS player]

I am sad Kevin left DHS. I think he knew more than any other coach on staff. He knew more than Coach Hillbert. Too bad he did not leave.

[Investigate this!]

How can anyone second gusee Grasso?
I hear they are finally letting him use crayons at the county office!!

[CCC]

Why did they close the blog on St pete catholics??
SPC really sucks and they are cheaters!!
Eat SPC
CCC RULES the CATHOLIC SCHOOLS!!!!!!

[Al K. Duh]

It was divine intervention CCC, curse your prosperous catholic ways.

Thank you come again

This is still being looked into.......

How is it still being looked into?

I know it is embarasing to everyone. Are they going to find another reason like the lousy FCAT scores and school ratings dip to not renew him?

What do you hear? What do you know?

Wow, the poeple who investigated schlereth couldnt investigate a toilet. THE INVESTIGATION IS RE OPEN.THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT.

No updates in 11 days?

watso matter boys, cant think of anything else, comon Times, this is well worn...lets get on Roper

Whats goin on, did Smith and Putnam get a vacation or did they get the axe?

[Joe Smith]

Yes, I did just got back from a vacation. If there are any updates, we'll keep you posted

JOE

I saw the article in todays paper that said the investigation is being reopened by Wilcox. Does not look good for Gary.

[Signed, Sealed & Delivered]

Hey Joe,

You guys need to get in touch with Coach Rannick (I think he's in St. Augustine now) and also need to check with Coach Marinack (he's in Pasco now).

Both of them could provide some valuable information into this situation and into another very worthwhile topic that is happening at that school.

This stuff is just the tip of the iceberg!!!!

[dilly]

Kemo, a person of enormous character and integrity, has loved the game of baseball since he was a child. Wasn't the most physically talented player, however. his baseball acumen and details for the fundamentals of the game are far superior than anyone on the field or in the stands. Regarding camp kemo, you get what you deserve. Earn it or get off the field. He has time for all his players. He helps them be better players and people. Do you have the time, mom and dad? I know you do, but you're too busy eating ding dongs. Look in the mirror, question yourself, not him.

T-