Legal Fees For Staples Soccer's Russell Oost-Lievense

URGENT - Please help Russell fight for justice. “Be good to those who are good to you”

We’re raising funds to support Coach Russell Oost-Lievense (“Coach Russ”), the head coach of the Staples High School boys soccer program, a Staples alumni, Staples boys soccer coach of nine years, head coach for three, and a dedicated special education teacher who was unjustly suspended mid-season and then “non-renewed” for this upcoming season. Coach Russ was terminated not for any personal wrongdoing, but for allegedly failing to report a verbal altercation between his assistant coach and a student-athlete, which the school did little to investigate once an anonymous complaint came in 2 months after the incident occurred.

What followed was even more disturbing: On May 12th, Coach Russ endured a 14-hour public hearing, during which the Westport Board of Education refused to let his attorney call any of the 8 proposed witnesses, nor admit much of their written evidence. The hearing revealed that no real investigation was conducted by the school's administrators prior to his firing. Aside from the three coaches and the student directly involved, none of the other students or adults present were interviewed. Why?

This leaves Coach Russ with no choice but to seek legal help to defend his name, his record, and his career.

Coach Russ is a special education teacher, someone who has dedicated his life to supporting students with unique challenges and needs. He does this work not for recognition or wealth — but because he cares deeply. As you can imagine, on a teacher's salary, paying for legal fees to take on the administration can be quite burdensome, and creates a stark imbalance of power.

Coach Russ is in the process of selecting an attorney to fight for his cause. We are aiming for an initial fundraiser of $40,000. Note, donations will be returned if attorneys fees are awarded.

Coach Russ has always stood up for his students and players. Now, he needs his community to stand up for him. As Russ says, “Be good to those who are good to you.”

Please consider donating whatever you can — every contribution brings us closer to giving Coach Russ the fair legal representation he deserves, and holding the board of education and administration accountable. And if you can’t donate, please share this page with others who care about justice and fairness in our community.

Thank you for your support.

#wreckersforrus