Coach charged

[Unregistered]

Citing unnamed sources, Fox 25 last night reported that Danny Villa is “out” as football coach at Walpole High.

The Rebels are coming a 13-0 season capped off by a 41-21 Division 2 Super Bowl win over Mansfield.

When reached by the Daily News Transcript last night, Villa said he had not resigned his positions as athletic director or football coach.

“I hope so, we’ll see,” said Villa when asked if he intends to be the football coach in 2009. “You never know what the next day presents itself.”

Villa has been the football coach at Walpole for the past eight seasons.

http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/sports/x946489094/Villa-denies-departure

[Unregistered]

If he's going to leave,then leave in a blaze of glory. It happens all the time and don't worry we'll be fine

[Unregistered]

From today's Herald online:

Walpole football coach and athletic director Danny Villa has stepped down from both positions, a little over two weeks after leading the Rebels to the Division 2 Super Bowl.

Villa cited family reasons for his decision.

"It’s something I need to devote 100 percent to at this time," Villa said. "As I tell all my Walpole players, your family has to come first."

Villa took over the program in 2001 and led the Rebels to a 73-23 mark during that period. His team advanced to the postseason four times: 2003 (lost to Swampscott in the semifinals), 2004 (defeated Danvers, then lost to Mansfield in the Super Bowl), 2007 (defeated Melrose, then lost to Bishop Feehan in the Super Bowl) and 2008 (defeated both Reading and Mansfield).


I hope everything is OK.....He and his wife (1st grade teacher) have been such wonderful additions to the Walpole Public Schools.

[Unregistered]

http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/football/view/2008_12_25_Walpole_Rebels__Danny_Villa_resigns/srvc=home&position=recent

[Unregistered]

Citing unnamed sources, Fox 25 last night reported that Danny Villa is “out” as football coach at Walpole High.

The Rebels are coming a 13-0 season capped off by a 41-21 Division 2 Super Bowl win over Mansfield.

When reached by the Daily News Transcript last night, Villa said he had not resigned his positions as athletic director or football coach.

“I hope so, we’ll see,” said Villa when asked if he intends to be the football coach in 2009. “You never know what the next day presents itself.”

Villa has been the football coach at Walpole for the past eight seasons.

http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/sports/x946489094/Villa-denies-departure

Very "presidential" quote, ala GW Bush, don't you think?

[Unregistered]

Today's Daily Transcript..... Jeez, merry Christmas to the Villas! So sad for everyone involved in this, especially the students at Walpole High and the Villas' children, who attend WPS. Not fair for Lynch to release this statement without details--either don't release it at all or give specifics. It is hard not to think about the Villa family's holidays. Even if Danny Villa is guilty of misconduct, his wife and children are innocent. This statement was released on Christmas Eve. Couldn't Lincoln Lynch have waited a few days??

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/sports/high_school/x16587553/Villa-out-as-Coach-AD

[Unregistered]

From today's Herald online:

Walpole football coach and athletic director Danny Villa has stepped down from both positions, a little over two weeks after leading the Rebels to the Division 2 Super Bowl.

Villa cited family reasons for his decision.

"It’s something I need to devote 100 percent to at this time," Villa said. "As I tell all my Walpole players, your family has to come first."

Villa took over the program in 2001 and led the Rebels to a 73-23 mark during that period. His team advanced to the postseason four times: 2003 (lost to Swampscott in the semifinals), 2004 (defeated Danvers, then lost to Mansfield in the Super Bowl), 2007 (defeated Melrose, then lost to Bishop Feehan in the Super Bowl) and 2008 (defeated both Reading and Mansfield).


I hope everything is OK.....He and his wife (1st grade teacher) have been such wonderful additions to the Walpole Public Schools.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/sports/high_school/x16587553/Villa-out-as-Coach-AD

In keeping with all of the scandals of the past year, Walpole has come up with a wonderful contribution. Tell me neighbors: No one could see that this was coming?? NO ONE???

[Unregistered]

Evidently Linc Lynch never learned the maxim "innocent until proven guilty." I love how he provides a quote filled with innuendo "inappropriate contact" then we find out it was allegedly e-contact, not physical contact. Don't be clear on that Prof. Lynch, let everyone think the worst.

[Unregistered]

Lets keep in mind Villa didnt put up too much of a fight and already quit. I know Walpole Football is the biggest thing this town has but lets be real.

[Unregistered]

Evidently Linc Lynch never learned the maxim "innocent until proven guilty." I love how he provides a quote filled with innuendo "inappropriate contact" then we find out it was allegedly e-contact, not physical contact. Don't be clear on that Prof. Lynch, let everyone think the worst.


We all know, poster, that any innapropriate contact, whether physical or via text messaging, is a bad thing.

If my daughter was contacted by text message with inappropriate comments from the High School athletics director, he would hear from me...and it wouldn't be by "e-contact" either!

[Unregistered]

Evidently Linc Lynch never learned the maxim "innocent until proven guilty." I love how he provides a quote filled with innuendo "inappropriate contact" then we find out it was allegedly e-contact, not physical contact. Don't be clear on that Prof. Lynch, let everyone think the worst.

I think we should know all of the details ASAP. A transcript of the alleged "innapropriate" contact would help allay all concerns.

[Unregistered]

To the Walpole Parent that, in the words of the former coach villa himself, put their family before anything else....THANK YOU.

[Unregistered]

Why do you want to see the txt in question? Villa already quit. You dont give up AD, teacher and coach in this economy if there wasn't truth to it. I dont feel sorry for him at all.

[Unregistered]

I say give the athletic director positionn to a woman: That will break the curse immediately. Its about time that a woman take on the position!

who ever said that the AD needs to be the football coach anyway??

[Unregistered]

If he's going to leave,then leave in a blaze of glory. It happens all the time and don't worry we'll be fine

Of Course we will be fine! High school football is nice local entertainment and good for health and emotional developement for the boys, but it certainly doesn't rise to the level of any significant concern over the future and stability of our town. It is just high school football. Short of serious issues with his conduct, this is no different that a favorite math teacher moving on.

[Unregistered]

He put out a story of "family reasons". Seams like he wanted to walk away quietly without a fight. Now a statement by the Superintendant. He was probably getting ALOT of flak from people who are overly obsessed with having a winning coach. NEVER are standards to be traded for a win on the field. Zero tolerance from all those in a teaching position, be they sience, math or sports related. It is a good lesson for atheletes to see accountability regardless of the win. I trust the Superintendants judgement. He doesn't seem like a big "reactor". Tonights news quotes that that Lynch said Villa confirmed the complaint and resigned.

[Unregistered]

Yes, let's have the next AD a woman.
A woman AD with a strong backbone may change the tone.

[Unregistered]

Yes, let's have the next AD a woman.
A woman AD with a strong backbone may change the tone.

I second that emotion.... :)

There are several women at Walpole High that can handle the job. Regarding the football coach: Find a good teacher who is also a good coach....teacher first...coach second.

And move the AD's office away from the front door of the High School. That should be the principals office.

[Unregistered]

We don't 'know' anything. Until we do let's not jump to conclusions.
Silence is the best option right now.
The truth will prevail.

[Unregistered]

Well I am not surprised. He had a great record at Walpole High. He is liked by everyone. He was an athletic director. I can bet you any money he will be at a new school next year that has offered him quite a bit of more money than Walpole can or ever will. I do not blame him. Some coaches start off at the highschool level than move to college next pros. I wish him and his family the best of luck. His wife is a teacher if they can improve the quality of life they have then go for it.

[Unregistered]

Well I am not surprised. He had a great record at Walpole High. He is liked by everyone. He was an athletic director. I can bet you any money he will be at a new school next year that has offered him quite a bit of more money than Walpole can or ever will. I do not blame him. Some coaches start off at the highschool level than move to college next pros. I wish him and his family the best of luck. His wife is a teacher if they can improve the quality of life they have then go for it.


"He is liked by everyone?" You can't infer that some parents are absolutely livid about this guy and his behavior?

Did you ever hear of references? Resumes? So the principal or administrator at the next job he applies for is not going to say...."what happened at your last job?" He is not going to check with the Superintendent? Or google the guy??

I'm all for a woman AD. Break up the football coach/ AD thing. It only invites stuff like this.

And superintendent Lynch: don't let some other school system end up with this guy without letting them in on the details. Thanks for having the COURAGE to stand up to the local football whacko-s.

[Unregistered]

We don't 'know' anything. Until we do let's not jump to conclusions.
Silence is the best option right now.
The truth will prevail.


"silence is the best option right now"....let me see: Cardinal Law, 2002, right?

I want the details to be known asap.

[Unregistered]

Well I am not surprised. He had a great record at Walpole High. He is liked by everyone. He was an athletic director. I can bet you any money he will be at a new school next year that has offered him quite a bit of more money than Walpole can or ever will. I do not blame him. Some coaches start off at the highschool level than move to college next pros. I wish him and his family the best of luck. His wife is a teacher if they can improve the quality of life they have then go for it.

http://wbztv.com/local/danny.villa.resigns.2.895596.html

if it was my daughter, he would be in the hospital tonight.

[Unregistered]

Well I am not surprised. He had a great record at Walpole High. He is liked by everyone. He was an athletic director. I can bet you any money he will be at a new school next year that has offered him quite a bit of more money than Walpole can or ever will. I do not blame him. Some coaches start off at the highschool level than move to college next pros. I wish him and his family the best of luck. His wife is a teacher if they can improve the quality of life they have then go for it.

If Cedar Junction has a team, He can coach. I dont think someone up and quits over email/ text. He must be guilt of more than that. And with a minor. One of OUR children and NO MATTER how many superbowls Im not risking another Kid.
My prayers are with the CHILD and their family during this time.
Is he going to be charged? What are we waiting for?
to his wife and family, Im sorry.

[Unregistered]

Well I am not surprised. He had a great record at Walpole High. He is liked by everyone. He was an athletic director. I can bet you any money he will be at a new school next year that has offered him quite a bit of more money than Walpole can or ever will. I do not blame him. Some coaches start off at the highschool level than move to college next pros. I wish him and his family the best of luck. His wife is a teacher if they can improve the quality of life they have then go for it.

The news stations are reporting that he is being charged with crimes.... get the small town stars out of your eyes.

[Unregistered]

For a small town, we really have some sad stories of local disfunction.... All our troubles come from with-in....

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/former_walpole.html

[Unregistered]

Parents:

I wanted to keep parents informed about some very important and distressing news regarding our school. As you all may know, Danny Villa (Athletic Director, Football coach, Teacher) resigned his employment earlier this week. As of today, he has been formally charged with multiple felony counts, as the link to WBZ news explains in detail below. This will no doubt be headline local news the next few days and weeks. The newspapers and media have already been attempting to contact our students.

I have been in constant contact with Superintendent Lynch and the other WHS Administrators as information becomes available to us. We will do everything that we can to support our students, protect any and all alleged victims, and keep the orderly operation of the high school as our highest priorities.

Please note that on Monday, December 29 at 9:00 a.m. I have asked the Guidance and Counseling staff to come in and make themselves available to any student who needs assistance or who would just like to talk. Please let your sons/daughters know that this school service is available on Monday at 9:00 a.m. I will be on hand, along with Assistant Principals Connor and Imbusch, to add our support. I have asked Mr. Jim Erker, who has recently been appointed Interim Athletic Director, to make himself available as well.

This has been a most trying and difficult week for all of us at the high school. I will continue to keep you informed and do all that I can to help and assist the students and staff at Walpole High School during this difficult time.

Sincerely, Alan Bernstein, Principal

http://wbztv.com/local/danny.villa.resigns.2.895596.html

[Unregistered]

Well I am not surprised. He had a great record at Walpole High. He is liked by everyone. He was an athletic director. I can bet you any money he will be at a new school next year that has offered him quite a bit of more money than Walpole can or ever will. I do not blame him. Some coaches start off at the highschool level than move to college next pros. I wish him and his family the best of luck. His wife is a teacher if they can improve the quality of life they have then go for it.

Next you will be asking for an override because we are loosing quality staff.... Another "school funding radical" on the loose, and as always.... uninformed.

[sdobar]

Take a look at the latest news:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/former_walpole.html

[Unregistered]

Looks like the only thing Villa will eb coaching enxt year is the Cedar Junction team. Unbelievable.

[Unregistered]

The Villa family needs our prayers, not judgmental gossip or speculation.

[Unregistered]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/former_walpole.html

[Unregistered]

This is absolutely unbelievable--

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/former_walpole.html

headline of boston.com, most emailed article, and it is about our very own Danny Villa.
My heart is breaking for his lovely wife and four sweet children. They must be going through such turmoil, I cannot even imagine. Can't even think about the agonized parents of the poor teenager involved.... I believe in innocent till proven guilty, but it is just heartbreaking all the way around. A true tragedy for our whole town.

[Unregistered]

Did you all see the news this evening? There is a warrant for Villa's arrest for rape against a minor. This truly sickens me.

[Unregistered]

This is absolutely unbelievable--

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/former_walpole.html

headline of boston.com, most emailed article, and it is about our very own Danny Villa.
My heart is breaking for his lovely wife and four sweet children. They must be going through such turmoil, I cannot even imagine. Can't even think about the agonized parents of the poor teenager involved.... I believe in innocent till proven guilty, but it is just heartbreaking all the way around. A true tragedy for our whole town.

How about the first dose of concern being for the teenage girl? She is a child who will carry this for her whole life. What do you think school will be like for her from now on? Don't get me wrong, I feel for her parents and for Villa's family. But you glossed right over the victim. That is a window into the difficult road ahead for her. Some will blame her and find pity for all others. Let's be certain not to forget who the first victim is.

[Unregistered]

So #399 if your child receives a txt msg from the school nurse that says : "You're real hot, I need to see you" is the Nurse "going to the hospital" like you tough guys all say? Or just saying that the child indeed has a fever and needs to go back to the office for treatment?

[Unregistered]

But running from the charge doesn't help his cause.

Whatever happened to "I need to spend time with my family"? Did he mean his family in Arizona?

Even if he didn't rape the child, the text messaging was enough to trash him.

[Unregistered]

His life and his career are over if found guilty. What a disgrace and a black mark on Walpoles name and School system!


http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/28/walpole_coach_surrenders_to_police_in_ariz/

[Unregistered]

No one has answered my question of who knew about this rape, that according to FOX25 started in the summer. This is a small town, people gossip. No one came forward to the admins at WHS before this past week? Lets get our priorities straight.
Shamed to be a Walpole grad today.

[Unregistered]

#425-Don't be ridiculous. There would be no need for the nurse to text a student with the message "you're hot". The student and the thermometer would be in front of her. You sound like one of those sports fanatics that abound in Walpole. I'm also suspicious about the timeline. Six months and the school is just finding out? Nobody knew? No gossip in the school corridors?

[Unregistered]

Let us hope that on the next "professional day" that all Walpole teachers get a refresher lecture about keeping their hands to themselves.

Yes, inocent until proven guilty needs to be kept in mind. However I have a daughter who hopes to play sports at Walpole High next year....

[Unregistered]

Ask your WHS son or daughter about Villa's texts - seems quite a number of students knew about the text messages - PARENTS check your kid's text messages from time to time and see what is going on with them sure this isn't the first time this has happened!

[Unregistered]

Those of you who want to support Coach Villa may write him at:

Inmate Daniel Villa
case no. 200815867
c/o Pima County Sheriff
1750 E. Benson Highway
Tucson, Arizona 85714-1758



http://www.pimasheriff.org/inmate/V_inmate.html

He may be locked up for several more days before he returns to Massachusetts. Whether he is locked up or not when he returns is another question.

Always remember: innocent until proven guilty

[Unregistered]

You're all being very presumptuous that it was a female student.

[Unregistered]

Those of you who want to support Coach Villa may write him at:

Inmate Daniel Villa
case no. 200815867
c/o Pima County Sheriff
1750 E. Benson Highway
Tucson, Arizona 85714-1758



http://www.pimasheriff.org/inmate/V_inmate.html

He may be locked up for several more days before he returns to Massachusetts. Whether he is locked up or not when he returns is another question.

Always remember: innocent until proven guilty


Are you kidding? If you are trying to come off as a small town hick, who has never crossed the boarder out of Walpole, and who lives for victory on Turco field,... then you have succeeded. If you are serious, then you are one limited individual.

[Unregistered]

The news (Globe) stated it was a female student.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;4689]Let us hope that on the next "professional day" that all Walpole teachers get a refresher lecture about keeping their hands to themselves.

QUOTE]

Now you're accusing ALL teachers of this wrong doing? Your neighbors, relatives, friends, etc could be just as guilty.

[Unregistered]

#425-Don't be ridiculous. There would be no need for the nurse to text a student with the message "you're hot". The student and the thermometer would be in front of her. You sound like one of those sports fanatics that abound in Walpole. I'm also suspicious about the timeline. Six months and the school is just finding out? Nobody knew? No gossip in the school corridors?
No parents caught wind of this either? I think that's even more of a disgrace.

[Unregistered]

oh and just some advice to taylor - your comments on local news stations make walpole look far worse then it already is.
good day.

[Unregistered]

Time to go back to the good old days!
Back to a Walpole Raised Rebel with strong rebel history and ethics.
Raised by Coach Lee.
Bring Brian Lee home to coach!!!!
He was done an outstanding Job at King Phillip.
And we have all Known him from the time he was a little boy on he rebel side lines next to his dad. Walpoles greatest Coach ever. A loyal family man, coach, townsmans a great example for Brian.
And Brian has been proving himself at KP
Its time to return football coaching to its RIGHT place.

[Unregistered]

How about the first dose of concern being for the teenage girl? She is a child who will carry this for her whole life. What do you think school will be like for her from now on? Don't get me wrong, I feel for her parents and for Villa's family. But you glossed right over the victim. That is a window into the difficult road ahead for her. Some will blame her and find pity for all others. Let's be certain not to forget who the first victim is.

You know, I realize this was a glaring omission in my post, but I did reference the "poor teenager" b/c she is the victim here, but as a parent, I tend to think as a parent.....I absolutely feel for this girl, and I am sure it is going to take WHS students about 3 seconds to put together who she is and she is going to suffer on so many levels that I cannot even begin to imagine what her life will be like. If it was my daughter, I would take her as far away as possible and just start her life again somewhere else....at least then she would only have to deal w/the repercussions of the ordeal w/Danny Villa and not the entire town of Walpole and all of her peers.

You cannot argue that a minor "wanted" anything in this situation, especially when Danny Villa had the absolute power in a student-teacher relationship. Is there a difference between someone attacking a 15 year old in an alley and a student "consenting" to sex with her coach? In some ways, yes, there is a difference. Does it make it any less wrong? Absolutely not. This young girl probably doesn't even realize how victimized she has been; she might not realize it for years. I would never gloss over her pain, she is the one who will pay the highest price for the longest time.

Mrs Villa is a beloved elementary school teacher in Walpole and taught my own child. I have always raved about her as a competent, experienced teacher who goes above the call of duty to make sure her first graders breeze through the second grade. She is nothing short of incredible in her teaching ability, and she is also kind and funny and lovely. I cannot help but think of her pain in this situation because I am most familiar with her. It is my hope that those who personally know the victim will also be most moved by her pain in the days and years to come. She deserves nothing less than total support. I hope I never find out who she is, because her privacy should be respected and she should be allowed to live her life as just another teenage girl in Walpole.

[Unregistered]

Your assuming of course that this poor girl's allegations are all 100% true. Perhaps they are not?

[Unregistered]

Everyone already knows who the girl(s) involved are. At least the students do.

I am 100% for Brian Lee in Walpole.

[Unregistered]

Cant believe someone is posting worrying about who the new coach will be.

[Unregistered]

Can we please stop the foolishness of posting about who the next coach will be. There are biggger things here than Walpole Football.

[Unregistered]

Where was our School Police Officer , did he not catch on to any of this or was he too busy trying to identify kids from cell phone pictures taken at parties???

[Unregistered]

It's sad but true that the victim's peers and classmates knew something was about to hit the fan on Dec. 23. Initially, when I heard the alleged accusations going around the teen circuit, I thought it was gossip with perhaps just a ring of truth. By Dec. 24 the kids had identified the victim, talked about how the abuse had been discovered and even had details of the content of some of the more incriminating text messages. I know all about letting justice take its due course, but more often than not, these 16+ year-old teens have the gist of the story correct. Perhaps the most telling of all is the following: Villa was here in town on Tuesday morning. He resigned immediately upon being confronted and then left his family in Walpole not more than 48 hours prior to Xmas. He appeared to be running from the law. An innocent man would have faced and denied the charges. Also, I do believe Villa is fried if in fact there are text messages preserved on the student's cell phone. That is pretty irrefutable evidence in my opinion.

[Unregistered]

Where was our School Police Officer , did he not catch on to any of this or was he too busy trying to identify kids from cell phone pictures taken at parties???

So does your teen party/drink to much?

[Unregistered]

The rest of the team shouldn't suffer.
Brian Lee is the Guy for Walpole.

[Unregistered]

I'm just so heartbroken for the Villa kids and mom. I know the girl involved is one victim, but what this family has lost is something I just can't even comprehend.

[Unregistered]

Cant believe someone is posting worrying about who the new coach will be.

The world does move forward.
What has happened is THE WORST nightmare to every parent and the girl DOESNT know how bad it is. But its also a private matter for the families. A policy legal issue for the police and School. Sounds like the school is going to offer support to students. At home hopefully everyone talks to there kids about the issue and about the need to report certain things not just spread gossip. And for the rest of us we still need a coach for next year so lets make the quick RIGHT town choice BRIAN LEE!!!!!!!!!!
Jim Erker is a great intrim AD and will also have great support for a home town BOY.

[Unregistered]

This has been the sickest weekend of my life in Walpole. The town is absolutely in turmoil. Some kids think the guy walks on water, some are cautious, some think he is a creep.

The most embarrassing thing: The comments that are appearing on the comment boards associated with the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. Especially this comment from the Boston article:

"coach villa will always have the support of his players and his student sportsfan you are a disgrace to walpole and u shouldve manned up and said sumthin if you thought all the flirting was wierd but if u saw it then u also saw the junior and senior girls initiating the flirting and going to his office to have a friendly conversation and i also went to walpole high and i can vouch that he always kept the door open and made sure that noone would think it was anyuthing othaer than what is was friendly conversation and being a nice guy cause walpole high could use more teachers like coach villa LONG LIVE VILLA, LONG LIVE REBEL FOOTBALL by rfball123 December 28, 9:43 PM "

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/28/walpole_coach_surrenders_to_police_in_ariz/#commentAnchor


http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1141588&format=comments#CommentsArea



Guys like RFball123 make all of us look like the dopes they are. What is it? Don't they wear their helmets during practice? What is up with that I ask??

The guy is in jail (thank god). It sounds like there is more to the story...he gets to go before a judge and we will eventually hear what he has to say. He may be innocent! But he surely is one hell of a dope for running off to Arizona, and he also quit his job.

The story made news outlets across the country. Totally Coast-to-Coast. Unfortunately Walpole is coming out looking like a haven for Hillbillies.

[Unregistered]

Your assuming of course that this poor girl's allegations are all 100% true. Perhaps they are not?

Naturally, this is a possibility--it is possible Danny Villa is innocent and the allegations are not true. However, I am operating on my experience with the Walpole Public Schools. They do not act on something until there is an absolute, undeniable crisis that has exploded all over their desks. They are hard-pressed to take a stance on anything that is not pleasant or congratulatory or positive.

This is not to say it is the schools' fault at all--it is just a fact, that is how they operate. They wait until things are about to explode or have exploded, and then they act shocked and horrified at the resulting crisis, even though they might have seen it coming for months. Who knows?--what we call denial was once known as hope.

Hearing that such dramatic steps were taken in this situation makes it difficult not to think there is strong evidence that Danny Villa is guilty of major misconduct. Again, I hope it isn't true--I hate to think of his students being so devastated, of the Villa family's heartbreak--but it would take a lot of irrefutable evidence to make the WPS act so quickly.

[Unregistered]

This is a town tragety on all levels
w/ that being said,
Lets bring Coach Brian Lee home.

[Unregistered]

This has been the sickest weekend of my life in Walpole. The town is absolutely in turmoil. Some kids think the guy walks on water, some are cautious, some think he is a creep.

The most embarrassing thing: The comments that are appearing on the comment boards associated with the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. Especially this comment from the Boston article:

"coach villa will always have the support of his players and his student sportsfan you are a disgrace to walpole and u shouldve manned up and said sumthin if you thought all the flirting was wierd but if u saw it then u also saw the junior and senior girls initiating the flirting and going to his office to have a friendly conversation and i also went to walpole high and i can vouch that he always kept the door open and made sure that noone would think it was anyuthing othaer than what is was friendly conversation and being a nice guy cause walpole high could use more teachers like coach villa LONG LIVE VILLA, LONG LIVE REBEL FOOTBALL by rfball123 December 28, 9:43 PM "

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/28/walpole_coach_surrenders_to_police_in_ariz/#commentAnchor


http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1141588&format=comments#CommentsArea



Guys like RFball123 make all of us look like the dopes they are. What is it? Don't they wear their helmets during practice? What is up with that I ask??

The guy is in jail (thank god). It sounds like there is more to the story...he gets to go before a judge and we will eventually hear what he has to say. He may be innocent! But he surely is one hell of a dope for running off to Arizona, and he also quit his job.

The story made news outlets across the country. Totally Coast-to-Coast. Unfortunately Walpole is coming out looking like a haven for Hillbillies.

Amen! This kid should be pulled from the team if that is his level of writing. Hey RFBall123: Do you know what a "." (period) is? How about a run-on sentence? We DONT need more teachers like Danny Villa. We need RESPONSIBLE adult teachers....

[Unregistered]

It is shocking to me that people on this board are openly cheerleading for a new replacement coach already. Do you really think now is the time? If Brian Lee is that hot a commodity, why is he at KP to begin with? Aren't there bigger issues to be solved first? Maybe someone not infested with the in-town cronyism would be a more mature choice? The football team is the least of the problems that WHS is now facing, and for those calling for a woman AD, how in the world would that change this problem? Let level heads prevail, please.

[Unregistered]

where are the links to the football boosters photos of the superbowl game?

where are the links to the walpole school system...including all of the schools?

What the HELL is going on in Walpole?

[Unregistered]

Naturally, this is a possibility--it is possible Danny Villa is innocent and the allegations are not true. However, I am operating on my experience with the Walpole Public Schools. They do not act on something until there is an absolute, undeniable crisis that has exploded all over their desks. They are hard-pressed to take a stance on anything that is not pleasant or congratulatory or positive.

This is not to say it is the schools' fault at all--it is just a fact, that is how they operate. They wait until things are about to explode or have exploded, and then they act shocked and horrified at the resulting crisis, even though they might have seen it coming for months. Who knows?--what we call denial was once known as hope.

Hearing that such dramatic steps were taken in this situation makes it difficult not to think there is strong evidence that Danny Villa is guilty of major misconduct. Again, I hope it isn't true--I hate to think of his students being so devastated, of the Villa family's heartbreak--but it would take a lot of irrefutable evidence to make the WPS act so quickly.
I agree 100 percent, The Walpole school system is usually reactive never proactive. There should be a mandatory meeting for all the teams and their coaches, these kids need someone to tell them that they are different from coach Villa and THEY have earned the right to hold their heads up and be proud because of who they are and what they have accomplished in spite of this horrible tragedy. There are alot of confused kids in Walpole this week and we all know opening the school for kids to meet with guidance counselors is NOT ENOUGH-most of them will not go. Have the coaches call meetings and let these kids vent to each other in private and have someone remind them that they are better than this. These kids need to hear it , if not, we are opening the door for them to get in trouble by dealing with their feelings of betrayal by possibly maiking the wrong decisions this school vacation week.

[Unregistered]

http://www.kvoa.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3284945&h1=City%20of%20Nogales%20Reacts%20to%20Daniel%20Vi lla%20Arrest&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=109134&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=45063954

Local perspective from Nogales Arizona, Danny's Home town.

Interesting video.

[Unregistered]

Why do we need a home town boy for anything? People run for office and they mention that they are life long residents. Now it's sports. What is it with the engrained mentality that hometown folks are somehow more worthy to hold influential positions?

[Unregistered]

Im truly amazed that people care more about who the new football coach will be than being embarrased by the constant news vans in Walpole Center the past few days.

[Unregistered]

Danny Villa's home town is Nogales, Arizona. The center of the Arizona half is 2 miles north of the Mexican border. The other half is in Mexico.

See local reaction in Nogales...

http://www.kvoa.com/global/story.asp?s=9589036

[Unregistered]

We need to wait and see what the actual facts of the case are. Anyone remember Ed Burke and how everyone in this town was convinced he committed murder? A forensic dental expert testified that the bite mark was an exact match to Ed Burke! Townspeople went to his house and cheered when he was arrested! That man was villified by this town, only to be found innocent of the charges when an exact DNA match was made to the real murderer. He was a strange man but certainly not a murderer.

Everything that I have heard and read so far about the Villa case does not paint a good picture, but I will reserve judgement until I hear the actual facts because of the Ed Burke case. If, in fact, the allegations are true, he will be dealt with in the court of law and punished accordingly.

I, as a WHS parent, would like to know if these rumors of what was supposedly going on between the coach and the students a well known fact? And if so, why didn't the school administration, police resource officer, teachers, or students notify someone? I would be outraged if this was covered up in anyway. I don't believe the school covered it up. I think they had to have some sort of proof, not just rumors, of what may have occured before they could take legal action. When they did get that proof, they acted swiftly. As far as not bringing Villa in sooner, I don't know why this was allowed. I'm sure there must be some investigating done by the Police before they can act. It sounds like when the proof and facts did come together, the school and Police acted swiftly.

My heart goes out to the victim because she will be portrayed as an undesireable girl by some who support the coach. That, in itself, is a tragedy if she is, in fact, only 14 or 15 years old. It doesn't matter who initiated the inappropriate contact, he is the adult and is the one who should no better and told her no. It is devasting for her, her family, and his wife and children as well.

As I said, let's wait and see what the actual facts of the case are and then go from there.

[Dave]

Anyone who thinks e-contact is the same as physical contact clearly has a screw loose. The whole "innappropriateness" scenario is a slippery slope and one that is more often than not initiated by the "victim".

This had better not turn out to be anything less then physical or highly innappropriate ( by that I mean the coach either initiated or willingly prolonged a course of sexual or suggestive correspondence with this kid(s)).

If it turn out the kids are lying, or stretching the truth, the coach should sue the town, and Lynch should be removed for his handling of the siutuation. One posting nailed it earlier: What the heck was Lynch thinking announcing this on Christmas Eve? And where do some of these other posters get off sharing what his wife does for a living?

Trouble here is even if he is innocent - he' guilty. This one never goes away. They guy is ruined in this - or any - town. Ruined. Meanwhile, if this turns out to be BS, the kids ( and their familes) remain anonymous.

Let's give the guy a break until they have something concrete. Maybe I'm just so dissapointed that this could happen that I want to assume it may not have. If he turns out to have really committed these acts - well - he belongs in jail. But last time I checked this was still the United States, and I believe he's entitled to some protection under the law until he's proven guilty. I would assume that protection includes not running his family through the mud.

[Unregistered]

Can't get on the WPS site. Cannot believe Walpole High is having students come in to the school to talk to counselors for ONE DAY. Um, that's going to be helpful. Where is the emergency School Committee meeting? Where is the Superintendent? Where is the communication for all of the students in the Walpole Public Schools? As someone mentioned here, Coach Villa's wife is a longtime elementary school teacher in Walpole. What about her students and former students? What about the many friends and classmates of the Villa family's kids? People are looking for guidance from the leaders of the schools in this town. School Committee, Lincoln Lynch, all principals (except Alan Bernstein, who is actually doing something), where are you?? You can't drop a bomb and then disappear.

[Unregistered]

Can't get on the WPS site. Cannot believe Walpole High is having students come in to the school to talk to counselors for ONE DAY. Um, that's going to be helpful. Where is the emergency School Committee meeting? Where is the Superintendent? Where is the communication for all of the students in the Walpole Public Schools? As someone mentioned here, Coach Villa's wife is a longtime elementary school teacher in Walpole. What about her students and former students? What about the many friends and classmates of the Villa family's kids? People are looking for guidance from the leaders of the schools in this town. School Committee, Lincoln Lynch, all principals (except Alan Bernstein, who is actually doing something), where are you?? You can't drop a bomb and then disappear.
There are reporters looking for phone numbers and addresses of Walpole High School football players so they can get a quote from a high school kid, how pathetic is that?? The Walpole Public Schools have to address this and protect our students. The school department should hold a press conference, give a brief statement and ask the media to respect the privacy of all involved .

[Unregistered]

Why do we need a home town boy for anything? People run for office and they mention that they are life long residents. Now it's sports. What is it with the engrained mentality that hometown folks are somehow more worthy to hold influential positions?

I couldn't agree more! The last year has been a nightmare, fighting a power plant, brought to you by none other than the local clique of good old boys, and supported by the school/sports crowd. This is only the latest in a long string of bad ideas brought to us all by a select few who think that they have some kind of birth right that entitles them to do whatever they see fit.

It has transcended from politics, to land developement, and now to sports and schools. I am tired of this mentality infecting everything in this town. A select few who have a select agenda, using any means to get their end result. It is poison for the rest of us. You know, the 97% who work, pay taxes, want good schools, and a clean environment. We are happy to support causes not our own, and we are tired of being taken advantage of and used by the 3% who run everything for their own personasl gratification and the gain of their select cause... no matter the cost to the town.

I would like to see more "new comers" in a position of authority, ...and the last thing I want is another "Walpole son come home" as a football coach. I am sure he is a great guy, and maybe even a great coach, I just cannot stand anymore interbreeding. The same lemonade has been being served in this town for years. Let's get a fesh outsider's perspective on as many things as possible.

[Unregistered]

yes - because the last outsider turned out to be such a gem.

[Unregistered]

The posts on this thread are priceless...Nothing like airing the dirty laundry at Walpole High School!


http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/former_walpole.html#comments

remember: innocent until proven guilty. This could all blow up in the PD's faces.

My thoughts are with the truth whatever it is..

The kids are deeply pained by all of this for sure. I would be if I was still at WHS.

Like Obama says: We Need Some Adult Supervision

[Unregistered]

yes - because the last outsider turned out to be such a gem.

....Bingo....

[Unregistered]

Who was the last outsider? John Lee?

[Unregistered]

Next you will be asking for an override because we are loosing quality staff.... Another "school funding radical" on the loose, and as always.... uninformed.

Both you and the poster you're responding to are so off the mark. This is not about Villa being able to move on to somewhere where he might be more "appreciated," nor is it about raising money for the school system. Your feeble attempts to work your own opinions on town politics into a comment board about the recent alleged rape is pitiful. What most of the sensible people on here are doing is exchanging information in regard to this undoubtedly tragic event.

On that note, has anyone found any more news articles on the case? In a town like this, I don't doubt that what happened will come to light, and I understand the impatience to get answers-- I was impatient for details when I first heard about this myself. I've only heard the same things that appear in all these articles, along with some unconfirmed rumors.

My condolences to the family of Coach Villa who will have to suffer through this ordeal, as well as to the family of the alleged victim.

[Unregistered]

Perhaps part of the lesson being learned here is our WAY TO MUCH FOCUS ON SPORTS. Perhaps it's time the school system focused more on academia.

[Unregistered]

Brian Lee is the obvious choice.
Im sorry some people just want to keep speculating.......
But we will need a football coach and lets pick a good one with strong family values ...
Coach Brian Lee 100%

[Unregistered]

1. What we know know is just the tip of the iceberg.

2. Who knew what and when? If anybody at the High School or in the administration knew something and did not report it they are guilty of a crime. I want to know who knew what and when? I want disciplinary action on staff who did not report this crime and their conduct referred to the Police for possible prosecution?

3. Has the Coach been spoken to before about text messages? Does Walpole have a policy of Staff having students Cell phone numbers? Staff should never communicate with students via text or have their cell number?

4. What staff have a town paid for cell phone? How many cell phones does the town pay for in the school Department?

5. The High school staff and administration may have a good reason to cover up their actions?
They may be guilty of criminal action for not reporting conduct?

6. How much will the civil suit cost the town of Walpole?

7. The Coach will never go to Prison. A deal will be made to avoid airing out the actions of School staff and the failures of leadership at the High School and the Superintendent.

8. Have other staff had issues with text messaging students or emailing students. All email from staff should be through the official town email and there should be a policy for staff to follow.

9. Students can not have cell phones at school. Why can staff? When are staff allowed to use cell phones? Why do staff have cell phones in school?

10. What did the Police Officer assigned to the school know and when did he know it?

11. Why did the Coach have a bowl of candy in his office for female staff to come in and share?

12. Have any other Coaches been in trouble for inappropriate acts?

Think about our students and our School Department and School Committee? We have some serious issues in the school system? Crisis is opportunity. We all need to demand answers and action. Staff who have failed in their roles should be terminated. Lives have been ruined by the possible inaction of our officials.

The Superintendent needs to hold a public meeting and answer to the parents of everybody in the school system? The school committee needs to hold a public meeting and ask parents of their concerns. We need leadership at all levels of the system?

So many people may have failed in this case; we are entitled to answers now?

[Unregistered]

According to wbztv.com Villa posted bail but wont be back until next week. This will drag on for months.

[Unregistered]

What about our young men of the football Team???? I bet they feel like they got kicked in the gut! Something to think about? Has everyone forgotten about them?????

The Victim? What will her life be like?

His Wife? I bet she feels like she got kicked in the gut as well!! Right?

His poor innocent children? What will their lives be like???

Questions to be answered:
1. Who knew about this situation?
2. Where was the school cop?
3. Will they try and cover it up??
4. Is there a school policy regarding teachers texting students? The table is turned now. Maybe the teacher's should be focusing on their own instead of bothering with the students. Teachers need to get off their high horses, and be made accountable for their actions and their behaviors. It's sickening! It's not always the students fault.
5. Maybe it's time for a town employee overhaul?
6. What else is happening in our High School? Town?

As I see it no one wins, now do we????????????

[Unregistered]

Post #82 What in God's name does "too much focus on sports" have to do with this? What if the alleged perpetrator was a banker or a librarian or a rabbi or a Scout leader? Would the town have too much focus on commerce, reading, religion or camping? Two towns over a high school girl tragically stumbled away from an underage drinking party and drowned. Was that too much focus on what? Frivolity? This whole town is too quick to leap to conclusions based on misinformation. They had more evidence on Edmund Burke than they do on this case. And they were dead wrong on that one.

[Unregistered]

You know, I realize this was a glaring omission in my post, but I did reference the "poor teenager" b/c she is the victim here, but as a parent, I tend to think as a parent.....I absolutely feel for this girl, and I am sure it is going to take WHS students about 3 seconds to put together who she is and she is going to suffer on so many levels that I cannot even begin to imagine what her life will be like. If it was my daughter, I would take her as far away as possible and just start her life again somewhere else....at least then she would only have to deal w/the repercussions of the ordeal w/Danny Villa and not the entire town of Walpole and all of her peers.

You cannot argue that a minor "wanted" anything in this situation, especially when Danny Villa had the absolute power in a student-teacher relationship. Is there a difference between someone attacking a 15 year old in an alley and a student "consenting" to sex with her coach? In some ways, yes, there is a difference. Does it make it any less wrong? Absolutely not. This young girl probably doesn't even realize how victimized she has been; she might not realize it for years. I would never gloss over her pain, she is the one who will pay the highest price for the longest time.

Mrs Villa is a beloved elementary school teacher in Walpole and taught my own child. I have always raved about her as a competent, experienced teacher who goes above the call of duty to make sure her first graders breeze through the second grade. She is nothing short of incredible in her teaching ability, and she is also kind and funny and lovely. I cannot help but think of her pain in this situation because I am most familiar with her. It is my hope that those who personally know the victim will also be most moved by her pain in the days and years to come. She deserves nothing less than total support. I hope I never find out who she is, because her privacy should be respected and she should be allowed to live her life as just another teenage girl in Walpole.


but it is not better than raping someone you meet in an alley......almost worst for the victim a 14 or 15 yr. old, who feels the are to blame because maybe they weren't forced. Vunerable....preying, sending text messages to many high school girls till he found the one that was most vunerable. then preyed on her like so many child predators do. I know this girl and ABSOLUTELY adore her! My thoughts and prayers are first with her, that she knows she did nothing wrong. She is a victim! His wife and kids are victims also. I do not know them personally but I feel very bad for them and pray all the victims in this case receive help and heal.

[Unregistered]

I want a woman AD..hell, a woman football coach! No BRIAN LEE. Forget about it.

The fundraising activities of the Rebel Boosters: Scrutinized.

Steroids testing?? MANDATORY. All Athletes...and if they want to play, they pay for the test too.

Cell phones in school? Must be locked up during school hours. (Grow up kids. Your "big" now. You need to learn how to use your head without callling mommy or daddy during school hours.)

[Unregistered]

According to wbztv.com Villa posted bail but wont be back until next week. This will drag on for months.

Try years....And the last "outsider" was Danny Villa of course. I remember when he was given the head coach job and everyone was horrified...Now its the otherway around as people try to defend him...What a town.

[Unregistered]

Both you and the poster you're responding to are so off the mark. This is not about Villa being able to move on to somewhere where he might be more "appreciated," nor is it about raising money for the school system. Your feeble attempts to work your own opinions on town politics into a comment board about the recent alleged rape is pitiful. What most of the sensible people on here are doing is exchanging information in regard to this undoubtedly tragic event.

On that note, has anyone found any more news articles on the case? In a town like this, I don't doubt that what happened will come to light, and I understand the impatience to get answers-- I was impatient for details when I first heard about this myself. I've only heard the same things that appear in all these articles, along with some unconfirmed rumors.

My condolences to the family of Coach Villa who will have to suffer through this ordeal, as well as to the family of the alleged victim.

Interesting that your fisrt thoughts are for the Coach's family... my first thoughts are for the 14 year old girl who is suffering through this ordeal, ...as well as the alleged coach's family.

[Unregistered]

Both you and the poster you're responding to are so off the mark. This is not about Villa being able to move on to somewhere where he might be more "appreciated," nor is it about raising money for the school system. Your feeble attempts to work your own opinions on town politics into a comment board about the recent alleged rape is pitiful. What most of the sensible people on here are doing is exchanging information in regard to this undoubtedly tragic event.

On that note, has anyone found any more news articles on the case? In a town like this, I don't doubt that what happened will come to light, and I understand the impatience to get answers-- I was impatient for details when I first heard about this myself. I've only heard the same things that appear in all these articles, along with some unconfirmed rumors.

My condolences to the family of Coach Villa who will have to suffer through this ordeal, as well as to the family of the alleged victim.

This post is in response to the "feeble attampt" by someone to infer that Villa is leaving because Walpole doesn't ever offer enough... same old drum beat that eveyone has heard for years...

[Unregistered]

I disagree on the coach never facing prison time. If he is found guilty of this he isnt going to just walk on some weak probation time or house arrest.

I would love to know what WHS officials knew and when did they know it. If the kids knew it, is there such a strong code of silence no one wanted to come forward ?


Finally Could Ch 4, 5 ,7 and 25 give us a break. We dont need a live shot from the police station on every news cast all saying the same thing.

[Unregistered]

I believe the school staff are as shocked as the public by these events. The staff I have spoken to certainly are. As Principl Bernstein said we have to protect the students and the school in the near future. Fourteen is so very young to have to deal with this mess whether you are the victim, a freshman, or friends with the parties involved.

I hope that my freshman goes back to school next week and continues to love it as she has so far...........

[Unregistered]

I hope the kids give the 14 year old compassion. It will be terribly difficult for her to even go back to school. I hope the kids on the football team remember that.

[Unregistered]

Villa is back in Walpole in a holding cell at the police station. he is to be arraigned in Wrentham this morning.

[Unregistered]

It seems as some posters have more knowledge of the ALLEGED incidents than others. What is not clear is how accurate the information is. Also, while not making excuses for anyone, the law is ridiculously poorly written..an 18 year-old boy "hooking up" with a 16 year-old girl is just as guilty of "rape" but a 54-year-old POTUS was just having a good time w/ an 18-year-old intern! Is it possible that a troubled teen scorned by a faculty member may have invented a story? Has this ever happened before? You betcha!

[Unregistered]

So sad, my son just played on the 8th grade football team and was excited about playing for Villa next year. Haven't heard a word from the middle school principal and they generally send bulk emails about everything. What do I want to hear? I don't know, perhaps that all teachers will receive yearly training about inappropriate behavior and that any texting between teachers and students is inappropriate. Students should be told not to be afraid to say something. What's that homeland security motto? "If you see something, say something." Town coaches need to realize what a huge influence they have on young children. This applies to Rec sports also. I thanked a Rec coach once for being a positive influence on my child and they looked at me like I was crazy. Current Walpole coaches, school and Rec Dept, should take a minute with their teams to talk. Just talk.

[Unregistered]

My thoughts and prayers are with the young victim and her family, and also with the coach and his family. They will all need a lot of support from their friends and community through the ordeal that is only just beginning.

I am saddened for our town. I have read the nearly illiterate comments posted on the Boston Globe website by people claiming to be WHS students supporting their coach, rationalizing his behavior and blaming the young victim. I wonder what is to become of the young men and women in our school system when they are someday faced with a similar temptation? Involvement in youth sports is supposed to build character, not teach our children that anything goes as long as you deliver results.

I grew up in a nearby town where the public school system has an emphasis on music programs and achievement in marching band, orchestra, and jazz ensemble. There was a teacher in our school system who was widely known to fraternize with female students in his care, and the situation was ignored for years because the teacher in question "delivered results" for the music program. Some very bad behavior was tolerated for many, many years. It was a disgrace to the entire town, and the inevitable result of an academic program that values program results ahead of actual teaching by example.

Winning the super bowl is a nice accomplishment, but it will mean very little to the future of our students if they cannot write a proper sentence, spell correctly, or apply good judgement. Based on the comments I've seen posted by WHS students, I wouldn't hire them to pump gas or stock shelves at Wal-Mart. At least they'll have some glorious memories to re-live while they get drunk at Tee-Tee's at the end of their shift.

I hope our school administrators will seize this opportunity to teach our children an important lesson about judgement and character.

[Unregistered]

Post #84..You hit the nail on the head. Evryone of your items needs to be addressed in a public forum. Where is the School Committee been for the last week since this issue surfaced. HIDING? At least Mr. Bernstein posted on this site and yet, no word from our School Committee Chairman. Sticking your head in the sand isn't going to solve the problem. Time for the School Committee to step up or step down.

[Unregistered]

To me “too much focus on sports” at WHS means that sometimes things are treated differently because athletics is involved. Here’s an example: What high school would hire someone to teach who is not certified and has no experience in education when there are other highly qualified candidates to choose from? Would you want your child to have this teacher?
Oh wait…this person will coach a team to a state championship and was a professional athlete! Oh well, no problem here, by all means, this person must be hired! Yes…put the person in a classroom without any certification or experience, great idea! After all, the team’s need comes first. Too much focus on sports…

[Unregistered]

Funny, this concern about an unaccredited teacher never came to bear before this incident. I wonder if all the private schools that don't require MA accreditation are concerned about having inexperienced Ivy League graduates teaching their children. I believe there is a difference between teaching college-level calculus without an advanced math degree, and coaching a sport without some bureaucratically created credentials that most simpletons can pass. As other posters have noted, this could have been a music teacher or a language teacher..don't blame the sports program. And #84, I just went to Walpole Co-op Bank..why do they have bowls of Christmas candy on the desk of an attractive teller? Was it to attempt this fat middle-aged man? How devious and underhanded!

[Unregistered]

I to want some answers. The kids say that a one of the Vice Prinicapls, in the past, has warned Villa about his conduct with the young girls. Also, some of the kids in the sports program, that have graduated have said they are not suprised at all by what happened. Heck, some of the kids that attend the school now are not suprised based on what they have seen. I have heard first hand by a few people that worked with Villa that they are not suprised. What the heck is going on at that school?

[Unregistered]

My thoughts and prayers are with the young victim and her family, and also with the coach and his family. They will all need a lot of support from their friends and community through the ordeal that is only just beginning.

I am saddened for our town. I have read the nearly illiterate comments posted on the Boston Globe website by people claiming to be WHS students supporting their coach, rationalizing his behavior and blaming the young victim. I wonder what is to become of the young men and women in our school system when they are someday faced with a similar temptation? Involvement in youth sports is supposed to build character, not teach our children that anything goes as long as you deliver results.

I grew up in a nearby town where the public school system has an emphasis on music programs and achievement in marching band, orchestra, and jazz ensemble. There was a teacher in our school system who was widely known to fraternize with female students in his care, and the situation was ignored for years because the teacher in question "delivered results" for the music program. Some very bad behavior was tolerated for many, many years. It was a disgrace to the entire town, and the inevitable result of an academic program that values program results ahead of actual teaching by example.

Winning the super bowl is a nice accomplishment, but it will mean very little to the future of our students if they cannot write a proper sentence, spell correctly, or apply good judgement. Based on the comments I've seen posted by WHS students, I wouldn't hire them to pump gas or stock shelves at Wal-Mart. At least they'll have some glorious memories to re-live while they get drunk at Tee-Tee's at the end of their shift.

I hope our school administrators will seize this opportunity to teach our children an important lesson about judgement and character.

Knock the coach, the teachers, the students, the Rebels (dumb), but Don't you DARE knock the local watering hole. Tee-Tee's is world headquarters. How dare you!! TSK TSK

Finnegans up there on top too. Rebel Restaurant: Closed in 1865 due to bad management :)

By the way: the drinks and the food are pretty good, and very affordable.

[Unregistered]

Villa has returned and being arraigned today in Wrentham District Court.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/former_walpole_2.html

[Unregistered]

There is so much speculation going on, my head is spinning. Let's wait and see what happens at his arraignment this morning and specifically what the whole case entails.

I believe the School Committee is probably waiting on this, as well, before they make a formal announcement about the case and what they intend to do about it.

I want answers to these questions:

1) Was Villa's conduct called into question by the school prior to this incident and how many times and for what specifically?

2) Where was the School Resource Officer when all these "rumors" were supposedly swirling around about Villa and did the School Resource Officer check into him?

3) Did the police have any prior knowledge of Villa's inappropriate conduct before this incident?

4) Are there any other students involved besides this one victim?


The School Committee needs to hold a meeting for all these unanswered questions, not just send out an email.

[Unregistered]

Let you daughter get birth control at fourteen because you don’t want her to get pregnant, but you do not condone fornication.
It’s OK, their teenage minds won’t be confused!
Make sure they do not have any relationship with God, because who needs to answer to a higher authority, moral codes are so yesterday.
Make sure she idolizes those like Brittney Spears and watches shows that have casual sex. After all everyone is ‘hooking up’
Never check as to what she is doing on the computer or her cell, you would not want to ‘invade’ her privacy!
Let her go out dressed inappropriately, after all they are ‘just kids’.
And above all never check to see if she is were she said she would be.

As a grown man go and revel in the vanity of a bunch of little girls giggling around you.
Don’t bother to set boundaries; after all they are so cute.
Don’t bother trying to control yourself.
Don’t have a fear of GOD, that would really put a damper on your lifestyle.
Don’t keep your family first in your heart, your wife and children really don’t need you to be strong and respectful.
Just go for it, no one will get hurt.

Now shake this up and look what you get.

[Unregistered]

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1142075

Sounds pretty pretty bad.

[Unregistered]

According to the Boston Herald article posted just minutes ago, police stated there were 500 text messages from Villa to the girl as well as 3 rapes. Good God.

[Unregistered]

1. The lack of certification was brought up at the time of hiring and was it was ignored.
2. WHS is a public school, not a private school so the federal “No Child Left Behind” regulations requires certification.
3. Sorry but the successful candidate did not have an Ivy League degree.
4. This is Walpole, not another town where music is the driving force.

[Unregistered]

Funny, this concern about an unaccredited teacher never came to bear before this incident. I wonder if all the private schools that don't require MA accreditation are concerned about having inexperienced Ivy League graduates teaching their children. I believe there is a difference between teaching college-level calculus without an advanced math degree, and coaching a sport without some bureaucratically created credentials that most simpletons can pass. As other posters have noted, this could have been a music teacher or a language teacher..don't blame the sports program. And #84, I just went to Walpole Co-op Bank..why do they have bowls of Christmas candy on the desk of an attractive teller? Was it to attempt this fat middle-aged man? How devious and underhanded!

The "bureaucratically created credentials" that you dismiss so easily are certification that a teacher has received basic training in education, which includes training in ethical conduct. Any properly-trained educator would know that even "innocent flirtation" with a young, impressionable student is a big no-no.

If there are explicit, private text messages from coach to student, he should have been fired immediately. That alone would be proof positive that he is unfit to teach children, let alone be within 500 feet of a school or day care center.

The principal and superintendent have a lot of answers to provide about what they knew when, and what steps they took to protect the students, faculty, and town from the far-reaching effects of this disgusting scandal.

[Unregistered]

http://www.walpolehighfootball.com/news.cfm?ContentID=26

Get him a pair of Rebel Sandals. They are great on concrete!

[Unregistered]

Coach tells teenage girl he loves her. Hillbilly Town in Walpole, Miss stuck in 1960's football nightmare. Friday night lights going dim at Walpole High

[Unregistered]

I am amazed and appalled at how quickly folks here have forgotten that this issue deals with people's LIVES... their lives, their families and their futures.

The comments about the flip flops on concrete and Friday Night Lights dimming are tasteless and shallow-minded...

Let's show some class and be, at the very least, respectful of our town, our neighbors and maybe show our children how to be civilized.

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to #111-I completely agree. First, I was willing to give the supt a pass because, after all, he's not in the hs building. However, he allowed Villa to resign and didn't fire him. Obviously, the police saw the 500 messages. Every teacher contract has a morals clause which means any teacher can be fired at any time because of moral turpitude. The 500 texts from him are enough evidence that he should have been fired. This story is beyond disgusting.

[Unregistered]

I am amazed and appalled at how quickly folks here have forgotten that this issue deals with people's LIVES... their lives, their families and their futures.

The comments about the flip flops on concrete and Friday Night Lights dimming are tasteless and shallow-minded...

Let's show some class and be, at the very least, respectful of our town, our neighbors and maybe show our children how to be civilized.


Take a look at the Boston Globe comment boards...its outrageous!


I feel sorry for Danny Villa. He looks totally lost.

[Unregistered]

I remember having a crush or two on a teacher back when I went to WHS but for a grown man to tell a 15 year old girl he loves her in a romantic way is just wrong. I was really trying hard to give Villa a break but I'm even more disgusted now. Throw the book at him.

[Unregistered]

Take a look at the Boston Globe comment boards...its outrageous!


I feel sorry for Danny Villa. He looks totally lost.


Im guessing most of the comments on the Globe site are not from Walpole residents.
Im calling for Lynch's resignation also.

[Unregistered]

Funny, this concern about an unaccredited teacher never came to bear before this incident. I wonder if all the private schools that don't require MA accreditation are concerned about having inexperienced Ivy League graduates teaching their children. I believe there is a difference between teaching college-level calculus without an advanced math degree, and coaching a sport without some bureaucratically created credentials that most simpletons can pass. As other posters have noted, this could have been a music teacher or a language teacher..don't blame the sports program. And #84, I just went to Walpole Co-op Bank..why do they have bowls of Christmas candy on the desk of an attractive teller? Was it to attempt this fat middle-aged man? How devious and underhanded!

I guarantee you that at a private school, they would welcome a gifted teacher with Ivy League credentials and outstanding references, whether accredited or not. What they would NOT welcome is a "sports star" who is unqualified, but makes everyone feel like they have hit the "big leagues".

This will be unpopular, but here goes....

Walpole School Committee needs to start spending more time focusing on running the schools, and less time on politics and economic developement. Ever think that the "ends justifies the means" mentality that has existed when it comes to getting money for schools, has pervaded the entire school system? Outspoken school supporters advocating for dirty business that the entire town is opposed to? Those same supporters hosting and attending "private meetings" with developers? Taking $$ from CPV for the film festival? Scare tactics regarding massive overrides, that 2 years later have failed to materialize? Smear campaigns aimed at "non-school" candidates?

The moral rudder of our children's education system starts at the top and pervades the instutution. The standard at the top, transcends to the administration, to the faculty, and to the children themselves. I would like to see the School Committee and their supporters begin leading by example. The ends does not justify the means. Winning no matter the cost is not the environment we should be modelling. Not for our children, not for our faculty, not for our administration, and not for OURSELVES!

Do we have a pervasive culture of turning a blind eye to the harm and risk we are bringing upon our community, so long as the gamble looks likely to have a big payoff ?? Pervasive may be a bit strong, but we have certainly long since headed down a very slippery slope.... how will we get back? You know the old saying... you reap what you sow. I am desperately looking for some leadership, compassion, and committment to the entire community from our School Committee.

[Unregistered]

My heart goes out to the Villa children, his wife, and to the young girl and her family and parents. As a Christian, my heart is out to Mr. Villa too. He does look like he is very sorry for what has happened. Very.

We will all come through this together...and things will get better. Walpole is surrounding you with huge arms right now...HUGE ones.

We all love our town and the people in it. Its going to show in the coming days. You will see. I am in tears over this

[Unregistered]

The Walpole football people get whatever they want. There were several candidates for the AD position who were more qualified, better educated, more intelligent and highly organized, but look who got the job! Walpole has put up with this football mentality for long enough. The only people who hold the program in high regard are the people who used to play, the people who have kids who currently play and those whose children hope to play in the future. The rest of us, yes, the majority, have great disdain for the program. I have lived here for over 20 years and nothing seems to have changed within the football program; the players are told that they are better than everyone else and are treated as such. In the last 12 years, I can think of only a handful of football players who I would want my kids to associate with. There is a 'win at any cost' mentality, but little emphasis on values, academics and integrity.

[Unregistered]

From the Boston Herald......."Walpole school Superintendent Lincoln Lynch III said he is satisfied that the sexual relationship police have alleged between Villa and a student is an isolated case.

“It did not happen at the high school and no other students have come forward to my office,” Lynch said last night."

Didn't happen at the high school??????? Is he serious? How about meeting with her in his office (directly across from the principal's office by the way). How about texting her during the school day when she was in class and he should have been doing his JOB???? How about the fact that he started his relationship with her though participation in the athletic program??

If this is an example of school leadership in not grasping the root cause of the problem...our schools are in more trouble than I thought.
Maybe we need new leadership.....

[Unregistered]

From the Boston Herald......."Walpole school Superintendent Lincoln Lynch III said he is satisfied that the sexual relationship police have alleged between Villa and a student is an isolated case.

“It did not happen at the high school and no other students have come forward to my office,” Lynch said last night."

Didn't happen at the high school??????? Is he serious? How about meeting with her in his office (directly across from the principal's office by the way). How about texting her during the school day when she was in class and he should have been doing his JOB???? How about the fact that he started his relationship with her though participation in the athletic program??

If this is an example of school leadership in not grasping the root cause of the problem...our schools are in more trouble than I thought.
Maybe we need new leadership.....

Agreed. And you aren't even mentioning the other obvious point - Lynch assumes that there are no other victims out there just because none of them have marched into his office to tell him about it. If there were other victims, is he really so naive as to assume that they would be eager to get dragged into the middle of this circus?

Are there any responsible adults in the Walpole school system? This is a very serious situation and the entire country is watching our dysfunctional little town. I hope Lynch and the School Committee get their act together soon.

[Unregistered]

This has morphed into a football program? What about the field hockey program..can't all the pejorative comments hurled at the football program apply to the field hockey program? Or the baseball program? Or the basketball program or the soccer program? Wasn't he AD for all sports? How is this related at all to the kids who play football? Or all the other WHS athletes just pillars in the community, and only the football players are bad influences?

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I don't think this was the first girl he has had contact with on a regular basis from what I have heard. She is probably the first that he could actually persuade to take it to the next level but who even knows about that. Some may be too afraid to come forward, especially if they see all the talk about the victim not being so innocent in all this. I think he needs to be thoroughly investigated. He has been around our kids on every level as a teacher, coach, and AD. I don't think this is the end of this case....

My heart breaks for his wife and children and, of course, for his victim and her family, but I have absolutely no sympathy for him. I don't care how lost or sorry he looked. He's sorry he screwed up his life, not anyone elses.

[Unregistered]

From the Boston Herald......."Walpole school Superintendent Lincoln Lynch III said he is satisfied that the sexual relationship police have alleged between Villa and a student is an isolated case.

“It did not happen at the high school and no other students have come forward to my office,” Lynch said last night."

Didn't happen at the high school??????? Is he serious? How about meeting with her in his office (directly across from the principal's office by the way). How about texting her during the school day when she was in class and he should have been doing his JOB???? How about the fact that he started his relationship with her though participation in the athletic program??

If this is an example of school leadership in not grasping the root cause of the problem...our schools are in more trouble than I thought.
Maybe we need new leadership.....

Take a look at the Globe Article. The Assistant DA says "the investigation is ongoing" and "stammered" when asked to respond to the judge as to whether or not this is the only victim.

[Unregistered]

This Town is imploding from within and now it's an embarassment to even say I live here. Two more years and I'm the hell out of here never to look back. What a Town!

[Unregistered]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/report_describe.html

[Unregistered]

The Walpole football people get whatever they want. There were several candidates for the AD position who were more qualified, better educated, more intelligent and highly organized, but look who got the job! Walpole has put up with this football mentality for long enough. The only people who hold the program in high regard are the people who used to play, the people who have kids who currently play and those whose children hope to play in the future. The rest of us, yes, the majority, have great disdain for the program. I have lived here for over 20 years and nothing seems to have changed within the football program; the players are told that they are better than everyone else and are treated as such. In the last 12 years, I can think of only a handful of football players who I would want my kids to associate with. There is a 'win at any cost' mentality, but little emphasis on values, academics and integrity.

If, in fact this is true, it is a tragedy. However, as adults in Walpole, we have the accountability right now to support every student, every child affected by this. It will take courage and conviction on the part of every adult in the community to not lash out to any student or groups of students. It will only add to their pain. The student community at Walpole High School, both athletes and non athletes need and deserve the support of all of us.

[Unregistered]

#127: why wait two years - go now. Hope you can find a town as pristine as you. It's amazing how you can turn this to be about you and forget about the devastation of the people involved. Remember, after you move and someone asks you where you came from, please don't say Walpole. We don't want them to know you did live here....

[Unregistered]

If, in fact this is true, it is a tragedy. However, as adults in Walpole, we have the accountability right now to support every student, every child affected by this. It will take courage and conviction on the part of every adult in the community to not lash out to any student or groups of students. It will only add to their pain. The student community at Walpole High School, both athletes and non athletes need and deserve the support of all of us.

I agree, as a town we need to support OUR children. The students at Walpole High School feel betrayed, the school department has yet to deal with the football team who is getting bashed on all these message boards along with the victim. Walpole needs to step it up, these are our kids, they deserve more-these kids deserve our empathy and support. Please put the blame where it belongs.... Danny Villa...no one else.

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#127: why wait two years - go now. Hope you can find a town as pristine as you. It's amazing how you can turn this to be about you and forget about the devastation of the people involved. Remember, after you move and someone asks you where you came from, please don't say Walpole. We don't want them to know you did live here....

Whenever it's mentioned, it's not Danny Villa, it's ex Walpole coach and AD Danny Villa.
Im embarrassed too. I think the smell of a Super Bowl trophy clouded everyone's judgement
especially the WHS administrators.

[Unregistered]

http://www.walpolehighfootball.com/news.cfm?ContentID=26

Get him a pair of Rebel Sandals. They are great on concrete!

To the absolutely crass person who posted the rebel sandals comment: Thanks for brightening my otherwise dark day! :) :) :)

[Unregistered]

Everyone already knows who the girl(s) involved are. At least the students do.

I am 100% for Brian Lee in Walpole.

Do you think you can put football on the back burner for a moment? It's like "Okay, a young girl is going to go through a terrible time but we need to find our next football coach."

For god's sakes. If anything is going to bring more dishonor to our town from the reading public that see these forums it will be a quick football coach search.

[Unregistered]

As a non resident, but someone who has spent lots of time in Walpole, I am sorry for the glaring spotlight on your community and students. My condolences.

On a final note, you should really attempt to muzzle the knuckle dragging section of your population who thinks that nothing is more important than football...they are an embarassment and a distraction from the real issue here...that of a child molester in your midst...who, it appears, can still do no wrong

[Unregistered]

Walpole is a resilient multi faceted community

As a loving community our hearts go out to the Villa children,his wife, the young girl her family and parents

As a Christian community our hearts also go out to Mr. Villa as we forgive those who trespass against us as we ask forgiveness for our trespasses

As a grieving community we will all come through this together, bent but not broken

As an optimistic community we know the future will become brighter , the pain lessened by time

As a united community we silently shed our tears knowing full well that even these difficult times of adversity yield to life's greater lessons

As a parenting community we embrace and reintroduce ourselves and our children to the need for diligence and awareness

[Unregistered]

Do you think you can put football on the back burner for a moment? It's like "Okay, a young girl is going to go through a terrible time but we need to find our next football coach."

For god's sakes. If anything is going to bring more dishonor to our town from the reading public that see these forums it will be a quick football coach search.

Could not have said it better.

[Unregistered]

# 135.. I agree! Everything in this town is focused on SPORTS. How about bringing back academia into the school system. Where is the School Committee on this issue? Silence is defeaning.

[Unregistered]

This has morphed into a football program? What about the field hockey program..can't all the pejorative comments hurled at the football program apply to the field hockey program? Or the baseball program? Or the basketball program or the soccer program? Wasn't he AD for all sports? How is this related at all to the kids who play football? Or all the other WHS athletes just pillars in the community, and only the football players are bad influences?


FINALLY, A VOICE OF REASON. THIS IS NOT ABOUT REBEL FOOTBALL, IT'S ABOUT A COACH WHO SLIPPED OVER THE EDGE. LEAVE THE KIDS OUT OF THIS ISSUE.

[Unregistered]

This is a request for the principal of Walpole High School to resign effective immediately. It has become so clear that there were rumors of this going on for months, that Mr. Villa was warned by school officials before the super bowl, and that the overall consensus is that no one is really “surprised” by this.

Well I am shocked and since you are the leader of the school, what happens on your watch is your responsibility. The fact that the school superintenant can only offer the citizens the excuse “well it didn’t happen on school property” is ridiculous and rather insulting to those of us with a brain. The relationship certainly did start on school grounds. It appears as though there was at least some inkling of pre-existing knowledge of this situation and a blind eye was turned.

If you truly want to do what is best for the children and citizens of Walpole, may I suggest you submit your resignation effective immediately and take partial responsibility for allowing this abuse to continue. This town and its children deserve so much better then you and other school officials have failed to provide.

If you chose to do nothing and do not act, I can assure you that the citizens of Walpole will not let this be swept under the rug as with previous incidents. No matter what “deal” is offered or what plea arrangement is agreed to – at the end of the day the truth will come out and it will show that the school was aware that there was a problem going on and failed to act. So really, resign now with dignity and set an example or go down the long and hard way – but either way, school officials will be held partially responsible. Sweeping things under the rug is over. People want answers and they want then now.

Anyone who agrees with this please voice your opinion or things will never change and this will most likely happen again within the next ten years.

[Unregistered]

Do you think you can put football on the back burner for a moment? It's like "Okay, a young girl is going to go through a terrible time but we need to find our next football coach."

For god's sakes. If anything is going to bring more dishonor to our town from the reading public that see these forums it will be a quick football coach search.

Finding a football coach is very important. There are a handful of potential scholarship players in next years senior class and not having a football coach will seriously hurt their recruiting.

[Unregistered]

Enough with bashing the parents. No one has a total lock on how to raise children. Whatever mistakes they may have made they didn't deserve this result. What if they did not come forward????? They could've easliy pulled their daughter, sent her to private school and said nothing. These people are heroes for coming forward. How many victims did they save???

[Unregistered]

Finding a football coach is very important. There are a handful of potential scholarship players in next years senior class and not having a football coach will seriously hurt their recruiting.


Tell the scholarship players that the most important thing is to hit is the books, not the field.

Suggestion to all football players in High School: retire from High School football before you end up with all of the middle-aged men with damaged knees who are urging you to join them in their middle-aged couch potato sundays. (like the ones posting here).

We get to see their wives power-walking around all over Walpole. Where is hubby? "he can't, he ruined his knees playing football in high school". :(

[Unregistered]

Finding a football coach is very important. There are a handful of potential scholarship players in next years senior class and not having a football coach will seriously hurt their recruiting.

I don't think a few weeks is going to hurt their chances. Two or three days after a story like this has become public is not the time.

[Unregistered]

Finding a football coach is very important. There are a handful of potential scholarship players in next years senior class and not having a football coach will seriously hurt their recruiting.

The recruiting prospects of a few seniors, while certainly important to them, does NOT compare to the systemic issues we have with leadership failure which seams to be significant in our school system. I agree with posters who are questioning the credability of our administrators, superintendant, and school board.

This doesn't seem to be a suprise to most! It is a disgrace! A disgrace at the high school specifically, and a real concern as to the code of conduct on display from the top down. And conduct of school board members over the past few years has gotten increasingly out of bounds as well. I want some ethics, transparency, and leadership at the top. I would like to make a clean sweep and start over. Those running and "advocating" for our schools have clearly lost their way.

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To the loser bashing football players: Get a life! Girls soccer ruins more knees than any other sport..where is that outrage? Don't blame innocent kids who didn't conduct affairs with their faculty members..football is not at issue here. It is also not the time or place to worry about next year's coach. Judging from some of the asinine comments here, I'd be transferring to another school!

[Unregistered]

Enough with bashing the parents. No one has a total lock on how to raise children. Whatever mistakes they may have made they didn't deserve this result. What if they did not come forward????? They could've easliy pulled their daughter, sent her to private school and said nothing. These people are heroes for coming forward. How many victims did they save???

I agree! I would like to thank the girls parents for coming forward and subjecting themselves to this insanity. Parenting is a learn as you go process and we all do the best we can. From the sounds of things, there may be other parents who chosse not to come forward,... or never found out....

Thank you to the family who is sacrificing so much so that we can all live in a better town. I am tired of the "concealing" that goes on with so much in this town. Getting the dirty laundry out is the only way to clean it. And this town has a lot of work to do. But with more people stepping forward, as these parents have so selflessly done, we are under way.

God Bless you and you familiy, and the wife and children of Mr. Villa. You all should bear no shame. May everyone embrace and support you all. That will be the truest measure of the type of community we are.

[Unregistered]

Enough with bashing the parents. No one has a total lock on how to raise children. Whatever mistakes they may have made they didn't deserve this result. What if they did not come forward????? They could've easliy pulled their daughter, sent her to private school and said nothing. These people are heroes for coming forward. How many victims did they save???

Your post is right on. Maybe these parents made some mistakes with their daughter, but what parent doesn't make mistakes? Parents make mistakes all of the time, but the results of those mistakes don't all get splashed all over the front of newspapers. The rest of us learn our lesson, are grateful no major damage was done, and go on having learned what not to do next time. If these parents have younger children, you can be they are going to be checking those kids' beds every night when they're teenagers and investigating every adult that comes into their kids' lives.

I'll admit that if this happened to my child, my first reaction would be to have my husband tell that coach--in a not-so-civilized manner--to stay away from my daughter or we'd go public. My first concern would be for my child's future and what it would mean to her to go to school w/everyone knowing what had happened. It would have been so easy for these parents to have taken care of this privately, sent their daughter to another school, and tried to forget this had ever happened to them. They chose the hard and heroic road of coming forward. It must have been an agonizing choice, but it was the right one. Someone who is accused of doing the things that Danny Villa did does not just get better on their own. They have to be stopped.

[Unregistered]

Finding a football coach is very important. There are a handful of potential scholarship players in next years senior class and not having a football coach will seriously hurt their recruiting.

most of the kids at WHS are going to college just like every other kids - by taking loans! why should we continue to prioritize the needs of a very select few? there should be waaaay more of a focus put on assisting the other kids - not your spoon fed football boy. and if it's that important that they get a football scholarship - why can't they go it themselves? must every door be held open for your spoon fed kid? can they not do anything for themselves?

frankly, most of us don't give a CRAP about the football players scholarships...they won't get far anyway as history truly has shown in this town.

[Unregistered]

most of the kids at WHS are going to college just like every other kids - by taking loans! why should we continue to prioritize the needs of a very select few? there should be waaaay more of a focus put on assisting the other kids - not your spoon fed football boy. and if it's that important that they get a football scholarship - why can't they go it themselves? must every door be held open for your spoon fed kid? can they not do anything for themselves?

frankly, most of us don't give a CRAP about the football players scholarships...they won't get far anyway as history truly has shown in this town.


An earlier poster who seems to think we have to worry about a few select players who need to get scholarships is part of the problem here. I agree with this post: Get a loan...or get a scholarship using "Scholarship".

[Unregistered]

Before we bestow awards on the courageous parents of the ALLEGED victim, can we at least make sure her version of what happened is at least truthful? Is it all possible that a scared freshman girl may have exaggerated the truth at all? After all, she did snaek out after hours. Let the court system work!

[Unregistered]

most of the kids at WHS are going to college just like every other kids - by taking loans! why should we continue to prioritize the needs of a very select few? there should be waaaay more of a focus put on assisting the other kids - not your spoon fed football boy. and if it's that important that they get a football scholarship - why can't they go it themselves? must every door be held open for your spoon fed kid? can they not do anything for themselves?

frankly, most of us don't give a CRAP about the football players scholarships...they won't get far anyway as history truly has shown in this town.

Don't be so angry that your son/daughter is not an elite athlete. Who is getting spoon fed? Your post does not even make sense? Don't you see that people have different god given gifts that they develop throughout life?

And to answer your unintelligent question "and if it's that important that they get a football scholarship-why can't they go it themselves?"

There are important things that a head football coach does behind the scenes to help recruitment such as making highlight tapes, sending films, sending transcripts, calling coaches on the players behalf because they are not aloud due to NCAA rules, etc. etc.

So please, if you are going to make comments at least research what you are talking about before making yourself look foolish.

[Unregistered]

http://schoolteachernews.com/scandal.html

check this website out. We are not alone. (whew!)

[Unregistered]

I agree! I would like to thank the girls parents for coming forward and subjecting themselves to this insanity. Parenting is a learn as you go process and we all do the best we can. From the sounds of things, there may be other parents who chosse not to come forward,... or never found out....

Thank you to the family who is sacrificing so much so that we can all live in a better town. I am tired of the "concealing" that goes on with so much in this town. Getting the dirty laundry out is the only way to clean it. And this town has a lot of work to do. But with more people stepping forward, as these parents have so selflessly done, we are under way.

God Bless you and you familiy, and the wife and children of Mr. Villa. You all should bear no shame. May everyone embrace and support you all. That will be the truest measure of the type of community we are.

Amen, and God Bless. :(

[Unregistered]

Boston Globe just posted on boston.com that Villa's bail was reduced today to $7500 in Dedham Superior Court. Just typical. And for those suggesting that we need a football coach right away for all the junior players, no we don't. The school system needs to focus on this issue and not resumes. Varsity players in this town -football is the worst but also field hockey-are treated as pampered poodles both in hs and college. Then, what happens? Most of them go on to ordinary, if not menial, jobs that they would have had without all the pampering. Or is it the coddling that makes them unprepared for the challenges of real life? The administration and school committee better come up with some answers.

[Unregistered]

Before we bestow awards on the courageous parents of the ALLEGED victim, can we at least make sure her version of what happened is at least truthful? Is it all possible that a scared freshman girl may have exaggerated the truth at all? After all, she did snaek out after hours. Let the court system work!

If you think the girl is lying then how do you know she snuck out after hours? (Gotcha there!) And why would the girl lie to her father about having sex with the coach? How on earth would that make things easier for her in that situation?

If the text messages are authentic then Villa is guilty of "enticement of a minor." If they had sex then he is guilty of "statutory rape." It really is that simple.

And regardless of any of that, the parents showed great courage to come forward no matter how this all ends.

[Unregistered]

Since you feel the Principal should resign, don't you think the School Committee perhaps was aware of this too. What about them and shouldn't some or all of them resign as well?

[Unregistered]

Before we bestow awards on the courageous parents of the ALLEGED victim, can we at least make sure her version of what happened is at least truthful? Is it all possible that a scared freshman girl may have exaggerated the truth at all? After all, she did snaek out after hours. Let the court system work!

Why else would his wife already have filed for divorce and Full custody.

[Unregistered]

Boston Globe just posted on boston.com that Villa's bail was reduced today to $7500 in Dedham Superior Court. Just typical. And for those suggesting that we need a football coach right away for all the junior players, no we don't. The school system needs to focus on this issue and not resumes. Varsity players in this town -football is the worst but also field hockey-are treated as pampered poodles both in hs and college. Then, what happens? Most of them go on to ordinary, if not menial, jobs that they would have had without all the pampering. Or is it the coddling that makes them unprepared for the challenges of real life? The administration and school committee better come up with some answers.

You must have been beat up by a jock to be soo mean

[Unregistered]

Not that it really matters but a few questions:

How was Erker hired within 24 hours? Isn't there a hiring freeze on? I watched the BOS meeting awhile ago when the Town Administrator had to ask permission from the BOS to fill a position that was open.
If we had let the Athletic Director position go empty for awhile (month?) we may have made some money which would have helped to close the athletic travel budget gap (see today's Walpole Times article). How can it be that the position of High School AD is so crucial to the School Department's mission statement (see their web site) that it needs to be filled immediately?

Was the phone that Villa used paid for by Walpole taxpayers?

Is it true that Villa was teaching without appropriate credentials? Is it possible that there could be other teachers in the Walpole school system that do not have credentials?

[Unregistered]

Why would they EVER decrease the bail?

[Unregistered]

Before we bestow awards on the courageous parents of the ALLEGED victim, can we at least make sure her version of what happened is at least truthful? Is it all possible that a scared freshman girl may have exaggerated the truth at all? After all, she did snaek out after hours. Let the court system work!

The comments were in response tpo the blistering attacks that these parents have had leveled at them. Where were your calls for the system to work then? Yeh, your mind is open, ... through a tunnel.

[Unregistered]

You must have been beat up by a jock to be soo mean

to 160- I have never been beaten up by a jock or anybody, for that matter. I am a mother whose kids spent 12 years at WHS in total. I saw what went on. By the way, I assume you're one of the football crowd. How do I know? One grammatical error and one misspelling. Probably just a lucky guess.

[Unregistered]

Boston Globe just posted on boston.com that Villa's bail was reduced today to $7500 in Dedham Superior Court. Just typical. And for those suggesting that we need a football coach right away for all the junior players, no we don't. The school system needs to focus on this issue and not resumes. Varsity players in this town -football is the worst but also field hockey-are treated as pampered poodles both in hs and college. Then, what happens? Most of them go on to ordinary, if not menial, jobs that they would have had without all the pampering. Or is it the coddling that makes them unprepared for the challenges of real life? The administration and school committee better come up with some answers.

Well said, and some good points. After all, it is just high school football!! Really, who cares?! It is supposed to be fun, healthy, and build character. I am hearing quite a few "stage parents" here who seem to be betting the farm of athletics. School is about intellect and communication skills. These atre what will serve a child through life. That and a good dose of morals. Get your priorities straight. Do the best for your children. It is NOT all about getting a free ride!

[Unregistered]

Don't be so angry that your son/daughter is not an elite athlete. Who is getting spoon fed? Your post does not even make sense? Don't you see that people have different god given gifts that they develop throughout life?

And to answer your unintelligent question "and if it's that important that they get a football scholarship-why can't they go it themselves?"

There are important things that a head football coach does behind the scenes to help recruitment such as making highlight tapes, sending films, sending transcripts, calling coaches on the players behalf because they are not aloud due to NCAA rules, etc. etc.

So please, if you are going to make comments at least research what you are talking about before making yourself look foolish.

I guess we know the only thing that you value in little Johnny. "Elite athelete"! I am rolling around laughing. THIS IS HIGH SCHOOL!!! not the Olympics. You are very, very funny, except how very sad for little Johnny....

Will you be applying for the coach's position?

[Unregistered]

Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!

[Unregistered]

hey guys, use spell check...there's so many spelling and grammatical errors in these posts

[Unregistered]

To those who keep calling Brian Lee back:
Who says he even wants or EVER wanted to come to Walpole?

To those blaming Administration:
How come no parents heard of it? Aren't you as responsible for the children as they are?

It's really easy to point fingers and throw in your two cents where they aren't wanted or needed, but where are you on a daily basis taking care of your children?

No, I am not saying Villa isn't guilty here, but how are any of you actually helping and not just hear to gossip? You're no better than the media.

[Unregistered]

to 160- I have never been beaten up by a jock or anybody, for that matter. I am a mother whose kids spent 12 years at WHS in total. I saw what went on. By the way, I assume you're one of the football crowd. How do I know? One grammatical error and one misspelling. Probably just a lucky guess.Insulting the innocent students of Walpole High School and "the football crowd" is just as terrible as bashing the innocent victim in this case.I do not understand why people have turned this horrible tragedy into an opportunity to insult any student who plays a sport at Walpole High .There are students at Walpole High School who depend on sports to help them get into college just as there are students who depend on academic, art,dramatic arts and music talents to help them get into and pay for the college of their choice.The people who are telling these athletes to "pick up the books" would be outraged if the same attitude was shown to a student pursuing a scholarship for music or art, you have no idea of the academic accomplishments of ANY of these students. Because a student plays a sport, acts in a play, paints or plays beautiful music does not make it ok to assume that these same students are not intelligent.Most of the "grammar" errors that people are commenting on are not indicative of how these kids write, they are an example of how alot of people communicate by email or text, they shorten words and leave out punctuation, when they need to use correct and proper grammar they are more than capable of it,they are venting here,please give them a break. As a community we should support all of the students and please stop bashing the kids who play a sport, they are your neighbors.

[Unregistered]

To those who keep calling Brian Lee back:
Who says he even wants or EVER wanted to come to Walpole?

To those blaming Administration:
How come no parents heard of it? Aren't you as responsible for the children as they are?

It's really easy to point fingers and throw in your two cents where they aren't wanted or needed, but where are you on a daily basis taking care of your children?

No, I am not saying Villa isn't guilty here, but how are any of you actually helping and not just hear to gossip? You're no better than the media.

The child is the responsibility of the parents. The faculty, staff, and administration are the responsibilty of the school department. Demanding accountability from the school department is the responsibility of every taxpayer in Walpole.

Getting the lack of leadership addressed is the most important thing the parents can demand. Things like this just don't happen by accident one day. It was a long, slow, slide until Mr. Villa reached the point of doing what he likely did. The text messages alone are cause for charges.

The parents are entitled and obligated to give their 2 cents. Even non-parents are. This is our school system and our tax dollars. We are well with-in right to question the accoutability of those in charge. This is the town of the great cover-up. You never really know what is going on until it is too late. And I for one am sick of it!

[Unregistered]

I am a mom of a football player. Our family, like many I know, share the same values it sounds like you do: Hard work, dedication to academic achievement and support to the community at large.

Please do not speak hurtfully of my children. I will not speak hurtfully of yours.
Please do not judge my children based on their academic or athletic skills. I will not judge yours.
You are a mom and I am too.
Lets make a committment to healing for everyone involved.
If an email sends you over the top, take a deep breath.

[Unregistered]

What baffle me, is to get to Mr. Villa office, you have go past the two main secretaries, another one around the corner and go past the vice principals offices. How could the school admin. work effectively with girls constantly going in and out to "talk" or ask advice? This had been going on for years and they are in such a small area, it surprises me how noone suspected anything fishy.

[Unregistered]

hey guys, use spell check...there's so many spelling and grammatical errors in these posts

Case in point. ;)

[Unregistered]

The bottom line to all this is that the HS principal didn't do his job as well as he should have!

He gave Villa a warning the first time but then there was no follow up. After the first warning he should have been keeping a close eye on Villa. The principal's office is not at the other end of the school. What was he doing sitting in his office all day?

Most principals I've ever had were roaming the halls, looking in on classes and catching those kids who were cutting a class.

We need to forget about a football coach for the time being. There is no need to rush to fill this position until the School Committee has addressed what the principal did or didn't do in regards to Villa.

If the principal is found to have hidden some of the facts from the Superintendent then he must go. If both are found to have hidden the facts from the School Committee then they both should be fired.

A question I want answered is, did the principal know of the first matter before the HS Super Bowl? If so, Villa should not have been allowed to have anything to do with the games. He should have been put under administrative leave than! The assistant coach could have done just as good a job with these football players at that point. These kids were motivated to win and would have done so whether Villa was there or not.

Giving Villa a slide on this issue, by the principal, is not how schools are suppose to show moral leadership to the students.

[Unregistered]

Why is the AD position so darn important that it was the top priority of the "school system"? Could it not wait a month or so ? Could it point to a lack of understanding by the school folks that they have their priorities all screwed up . Will they call a general assembly on Monday 1/5/09 to help our children better cope ?
I am afraid that the emperor really has no cloths, and we have no leaders !!

[Unregistered]

It's just defeaning! Like Obama stated it's time for change, but like Obama, the change won't be much.

[Unregistered]

The child is the responsibility of the parents. The faculty, staff, and administration are the responsibilty of the school department. Demanding accountability from the school department is the responsibility of every taxpayer in Walpole.

Getting the lack of leadership addressed is the most important thing the parents can demand. Things like this just don't happen by accident one day. It was a long, slow, slide until Mr. Villa reached the point of doing what he likely did. The text messages alone are cause for charges.

The parents are entitled and obligated to give their 2 cents. Even non-parents are. This is our school system and our tax dollars. We are well with-in right to question the accoutability of those in charge. This is the town of the great cover-up. You never really know what is going on until it is too late. And I for one am sick of it!

I agree. I am a longtime resident of Walpole and a taxpayer. I have a young child who will someday (or perhaps not!) attend WHS. I have every right to demand accountability from the school administration and the school board. I have every right to expect leadership from them during this crisis.

I am concerned about what is going on in our school system when I hear that administrators already suspected that the coach was getting too close to some of the female students, and apparently did not put the fear of God into the man before it got to this point. I am very concerned when I read posts by former and current WHS students who apparently do not understand what was wrong about a coach molesting a student. I am horrified when I read posts by parents whose primary concern is to appoint a new coach and get on with football as if nothing ever happened.

Priorities in this town have been way out of whack for too long. We spent $1M to renovate the high school football field, but we won't build a new library? We can't hire enough police officers and firefighters, but we can replace the high school athletic director without skipping a beat?

How many WHS graduates can reasonably be expected to get sports scholarships and/or make a decent living playing sports? And how many can be reasonably expected to get academic scholarships and/or make a decent living using their brains? Glory on the high school gridiron is short-lived. Even a former NFL player can have trouble making it in this world, apparently.

I am a Walpole resident, parent, and taxpayer, and I demand accountability from our school officials. I expect the Board of Selectmen to call Superintendent Lynch before the board at their next meeting to demand an explanation. We need a Master Plan for our school system that places an emphasis on academics as the preferred path toward the future success of our students.

It is time to set new priorities in this town.

[Unregistered]

I did not say the administration does not have a responsibility. However, some are making the parents out to be heroes. Yes, parenting can be hard, HOWEVER, checking on your kids at night is not....unless you are lazy. Listening to the kids while driving them places is important. I wonder how many kids DID mention this to parents of the town in passing and were pooh-poohed. Checking your kids phones and email...not invasion of privacy-PARENTING. And while I do not think this makes Villa any less guilty, I do think that any 14/15 year old KNOWS that doing what she did was wrong.
I'm seeing many things on this post that people are writing as if they are fact, and they are actually innaccurate.

[Unregistered]

Parenting is hard and I agree that following up on text messages, facebook, and emails is not an invasion of privacy. What kids and adults seem to forget is that the vulgar and crude messages become public once they hit the internet. The messages and photos are there for all to see but many parents choose not to see. When children are invading your pocketbook by requesting cellphones, unlimited texting etc, then you as a parent have an obligation to make sure that your children are using technology responsibly. Schools shouldn't allow cell phones and if you check your phone bills, you will find that the students are texting during class and until all hours of the morning. Hardly conducive to learning what they are supposed to be learning.

[Unregistered]

What baffle me, is to get to Mr. Villa office, you have go past the two main secretaries, another one around the corner and go past the vice principals offices. How could the school admin. work effectively with girls constantly going in and out to "talk" or ask advice? This had been going on for years and they are in such a small area, it surprises me how noone suspected anything fishy.
If the public has known about, why hasn't any said something before now? I'm not excusing staff who witnessed it, but if YOU knew, as it sounds like you are saying you did, then why didn't YOU speak up?

[Unregistered]

I agree. I am a longtime resident of Walpole and a taxpayer. I have a young child who will someday (or perhaps not!) attend WHS. I have every right to demand accountability from the school administration and the school board. I have every right to expect leadership from them during this crisis.

I am concerned about what is going on in our school system when I hear that administrators already suspected that the coach was getting too close to some of the female students, and apparently did not put the fear of God into the man before it got to this point. I am very concerned when I read posts by former and current WHS students who apparently do not understand what was wrong about a coach molesting a student. I am horrified when I read posts by parents whose primary concern is to appoint a new coach and get on with football as if nothing ever happened.

Priorities in this town have been way out of whack for too long. We spent $1M to renovate the high school football field, but we won't build a new library? We can't hire enough police officers and firefighters, but we can replace the high school athletic director without skipping a beat?

How many WHS graduates can reasonably be expected to get sports scholarships and/or make a decent living playing sports? And how many can be reasonably expected to get academic scholarships and/or make a decent living using their brains? Glory on the high school gridiron is short-lived. Even a former NFL player can have trouble making it in this world, apparently.

I am a Walpole resident, parent, and taxpayer, and I demand accountability from our school officials. I expect the Board of Selectmen to call Superintendent Lynch before the board at their next meeting to demand an explanation. We need a Master Plan for our school system that places an emphasis on academics as the preferred path toward the future success of our students.

It is time to set new priorities in this town.


Watch out parent! Don't dare make your comments public (with your name). You will forever be on the rebel rat list! (hate to say it, but the Rebel Rat List is growing...!)

[Unregistered]

I think that replacing Villa with Jim Erker as interim AD was a responsible, intelligent thing to do. There is a lot of coordination involved in managing coaches, teams, buses schedules etc. especially during the winter sports season. Someone was needed to step in and take over this job immediately and you couldn't ask for a more decent, hardworking man than Jim Erker. There is a lot to consider in this role in the next several months; meetings with coaches, parents and athletes will need to be held and possibly guest speakers who will need to help us all get through this horrific ordeal. All of which needs to be coordinated and managed by someone with the utmost credentials. Jim Erker is above reproach and can help this community with the healing process. As for those who worry about the cost-get over it-once Villa resigned, that freed up his salary to pay for a replacement.

[Unregistered]

The bottom line to all this is that the HS principal didn't do his job as well as he should have!

He gave Villa a warning the first time but then there was no follow up. After the first warning he should have been keeping a close eye on Villa. The principal's office is not at the other end of the school. What was he doing sitting in his office all day?

Most principals I've ever had were roaming the halls, looking in on classes and catching those kids who were cutting a class.

We need to forget about a football coach for the time being. There is no need to rush to fill this position until the School Committee has addressed what the principal did or didn't do in regards to Villa.

If the principal is found to have hidden some of the facts from the Superintendent then he must go. If both are found to have hidden the facts from the School Committee then they both should be fired.

A question I want answered is, did the principal know of the first matter before the HS Super Bowl? If so, Villa should not have been allowed to have anything to do with the games. He should have been put under administrative leave than! The assistant coach could have done just as good a job with these football players at that point. These kids were motivated to win and would have done so whether Villa was there or not.

Giving Villa a slide on this issue, by the principal, is not how schools are suppose to show moral leadership to the students.

I am just curious how we know that Villa was given a warning. Was this in the newspaper? Just wondering, not being snarky.

[Unregistered]

Watch out parent! Don't dare make your comments public (with your name). You will forever be on the rebel rat list! (hate to say it, but the Rebel Rat List is growing...!)

First I've heard of it, but from the way you describe it being on the Rebel Rat List would be a badge of honor.

[Unregistered]

I agree. I am a longtime resident of Walpole and a taxpayer. I have a young child who will someday (or perhaps not!) attend WHS. I have every right to demand accountability from the school administration and the school board. I have every right to expect leadership from them during this crisis.

I am concerned about what is going on in our school system when I hear that administrators already suspected that the coach was getting too close to some of the female students, and apparently did not put the fear of God into the man before it got to this point. I am very concerned when I read posts by former and current WHS students who apparently do not understand what was wrong about a coach molesting a student. I am horrified when I read posts by parents whose primary concern is to appoint a new coach and get on with football as if nothing ever happened.

Priorities in this town have been way out of whack for too long. We spent $1M to renovate the high school football field, but we won't build a new library? We can't hire enough police officers and firefighters, but we can replace the high school athletic director without skipping a beat?

How many WHS graduates can reasonably be expected to get sports scholarships and/or make a decent living playing sports? And how many can be reasonably expected to get academic scholarships and/or make a decent living using their brains? Glory on the high school gridiron is short-lived. Even a former NFL player can have trouble making it in this world, apparently.

I am a Walpole resident, parent, and taxpayer, and I demand accountability from our school officials. I expect the Board of Selectmen to call Superintendent Lynch before the board at their next meeting to demand an explanation. We need a Master Plan for our school system that places an emphasis on academics as the preferred path toward the future success of our students.

It is time to set new priorities in this town.

The town does have a master plan...you can find it on the WPS website. It's the Strategic Plan that was written by a commitee made up of administration, teachers, parents, community members, and students. I have to say, from my personal encounters with Mr. Lynch he is extremely pro-active. I won't say more, because I do not have more info than that. I am not defending or accusing...simply stating.

[Unregistered]

This crisis and the lack of appropriate response from our educational leaders (namely the School Committee & Lincoln Lynch & the principals) has frightened me in regards to my own children's future in the Walpole Public Schools. I know there are problems everywhere, in every town. I have told myself this as I face some of the struggles with the admimistration at my kids' school. I've picked my battles b/c I know every school system has issues. But this ordeal is the tip of the iceberg. The situation indirectly effects one of my children in a pretty significant manner, and I have heard nothing from anyone other than the public press release from Lynch and the head of SC, which was pretty lame in my opinion.

I know the SC & Lynch & probably the principals are most likely holed up in lawyers' offices somewhere, but honestly, where is the PLAN for these kids when they go back to school on Monday? And there is a reason why no one showed up at one day of counseling at the high school.....because it offered nothing of value for high school kids. Do you think any of these kids would show their faces at the crisis team intervention? Aside from the very important fact that any girls might be seen by their peers as outing themselves as potential victims, we are dealing with teenagers. They are airing their opinions and concerns w/their friends and, as a press release (one week after the fact) suggested, their families. Parents are the ones who want answers.

I am a suddenly grateful for school choice. Yes, Danny Villa is the one in the wrong here, but I am sick to death of this school system handling things in such a useless manner. Shoving things under the rug, saying nothing in the hopes things will disappear, and only bringing up things that are self protective--hey, they didn't have any contact on school grounds! we're all satisfied that this is the only kid, and hey, we have no formal proof to offer on that!--is the way this district operates on almost all issues. Now the biggest issue of all has exploded in their faces, and they are maintaining their usual MO. These schools operate because we pay taxes, and everyone had better prepare for the SC's override request because of the resulting legal fees and settlement costs when this family, inevitably (and not without merit) sues the pants of the Walpole Public Schools. But sorry, no, they couldn't dignify the town with any meetings or help in the days following this nightmare.

[Unregistered]

It is time for the citizens of Walpole to demand more. More from the people we pay, teachers, principal, superintendent.
But more importantly, more from elected officials.

The school committee needs to stop focusing on having fancy, new and more expensive and start focusing on the basics.

Morals and ethics don't require a new building or more state and town funding. They require real work instilling them into the youth. (That presupposes the people we elect and parents have them to pass on.)

Funny, not many years ago huge effort was put into remodeling the high school; we needed new office space for the administrators. Over the past few years a million dollars on a field. What did this get us?? I know we have nice new offices so the AD can sit with the students but has there been enough focus on what happens in the new office space, the current new tells us no.

The current situation now requires the voters in this town to change their focus. Move on from people promising more money and new buildings and programs. Elect officials who focus on the basics, what is right and what is wrong. Right and Wrong do exist and children need to be told that and shown by example how to behave.

Strangely enough the economic downturn may provide an opportunity to move from the focus on money and things and back basics. At least I hope we can move back to basics, time will tell.

[Unregistered]

Why is the AD position so darn important that it was the top priority of the "school system"? Could it not wait a month or so ? Could it point to a lack of understanding by the school folks that they have their priorities all screwed up . Will they call a general assembly on Monday 1/5/09 to help our children better cope ?
I am afraid that the emperor really has no cloths, and we have no leaders !!

Another Rebel Rat! Watch out!

[Unregistered]

The bottom line to all this is that the HS principal didn't do his job as well as he should have!

He gave Villa a warning the first time but then there was no follow up. After the first warning he should have been keeping a close eye on Villa. The principal's office is not at the other end of the school. What was he doing sitting in his office all day?

Most principals I've ever had were roaming the halls, looking in on classes and catching those kids who were cutting a class.

We need to forget about a football coach for the time being. There is no need to rush to fill this position until the School Committee has addressed what the principal did or didn't do in regards to Villa.

If the principal is found to have hidden some of the facts from the Superintendent then he must go. If both are found to have hidden the facts from the School Committee then they both should be fired.

A question I want answered is, did the principal know of the first matter before the HS Super Bowl? If so, Villa should not have been allowed to have anything to do with the games. He should have been put under administrative leave than! The assistant coach could have done just as good a job with these football players at that point. These kids were motivated to win and would have done so whether Villa was there or not.

Giving Villa a slide on this issue, by the principal, is not how schools are suppose to show moral leadership to the students.

I don't know poster. The kids seem unable to do anything or think anything without their dear father figure. Warning: Do not reveal your name publicly. you will be forever.....

signed

The Big Cheese

[Unregistered]

post 181. Unforutnately, I have been in that area a few times while my son attended high school, so I know the layout of the area. Not being there on a regular basis, I figured it was the norm for athletes to see the AD, maybe during a study or for questions. Now that this news is out, students are the ones who told me it wasn't just occasional visits, but constant. Again, are students a reliable source? They seem to know the names of the students that frequented the AD office. I would think adults that are working in that area everyday would have more of a since if something was wrong than a parent who unfortunately has to come in on business. Hindsight would be a wonderful thing.

[Unregistered]

The town does have a master plan...you can find it on the WPS website. It's the Strategic Plan that was written by a commitee made up of administration, teachers, parents, community members, and students. I have to say, from my personal encounters with Mr. Lynch he is extremely pro-active. I won't say more, because I do not have more info than that. I am not defending or accusing...simply stating.

Yes, I am familiar with the Planning Board's Master Plan (http://walpole-ma.gov/Master_Plan_EO_418_Plan_June_2004.pdf) for development.

Tell me, where does the Master Plan address the curriculum of the public schools? Where does it address the relative weight of academic achievement vs. sports? Where does it provide guidance to the superintendent, principal, faculty, and coaches about what they should be teaching our students?

The School Committee asks for unnecessary overrides, hides "surplus funds" within their budgets, and hires athletic directors in the middle of a townwide hiring freeze and budget crisis. The taxpayers often have no idea what they are doing or why they are doing it.

We need a similar Master Plan document from the School Committee, based on public input, to elaborate on the formal goals and priorities of the Walpole Public School System. The School Committee would benefit greatly from the guidance that would come from such a document, especially during a crisis such as this.

[Columbo]

Does anyone know the Walpole school committee's e- mail address's, and e-mail address for Superintendent? I have searched, but unable to find. Thanks very much.

[Unregistered]

The sports writer for the Walpole Times must be under sedation after all of this. He must hate every line of glowing text he wrote about Villa.

I am looking forward to the editorial section of the paper this week (if it ever comes out).

How about some editorial comments here on Walpole News? I am getting tired of all of this anonymous babbling...isn't everyone else?

with 10,000 views since a few days ago, I would think this website has proven it could generate revenue. Or is the Rebel Times the only place where we get our news now? (SOme of it written by people spread out over the country!)

[Unregistered]

Supt. Lynch is relatively new to the madness that we call "schools" in Walpole. I have been impressed with him in the few interactions I have had. Here we find ourselves, 2 years after one of the ugliest over-ride campaigns I can recall, and the budget is balanced and he returned $6000 to the general fund. At the time, the results of a failure to pass the massive over-ride were predicted to be catastrophic. Weeks after the failure, an extrordinary sum of money was "found" in the budget. How grossly negligent can we be? He seems to be a reasonable and prudent man from what I can see. None of the hysteria of years past.

You can only do so much with what you are given...

The mentality that has pervaded the issue of schools has gotten completely out of control. "Anything goes" one might say. I have recieved one to many e-mails from school board members, sports coaches, and other elected officials and their spouses making outlandish statements in regards to political issues and candidates for office. These e-mails have centerred exclusively around who the "school candidate" is. I have later found the information to be patently false.

Does the buck stop at the top? You betcha. But make no mistake, the reckless behavior that brought about this latest tragedy, has been underway for years. The only way this standard of irresponsibility can be irradicated from our town is at the ballot box. After all, Supt. Lynch can only work with what we give him.

[Unregistered]

WPS emails are first letter of first name, last name @walpole.k12.ma.us I do not know if the school committee is the same

[Unregistered]

If you play my son, I'll play your son." So why does this town have sports tryouts? Has anyone asked this question?? This has been the mentality of the town for many years. Coaches do whatever they want. Including Mr. Villa. They pick and play whoever they want regardless of talent, so, who you know really helps in this town. It makes me sick. There has been no accountability as of yet for these wanna be egotistical coaches. Give me a break. Open your eyes people. I hope the young of this town that have yet experienced the heartbreak of not being picked on a sports team, because "it is Political", will learn from this big disappointing, embarrassing mess. I wish this for their parents and wish them luck. Maybe the realization that there are boundaries that cannot be crossed, and a certain code of conduct that is expected for all teachers, including coaches in school and out of school should be understood !!!! This town needs to change.

[Unregistered]

#197 Dry your tears because your child got cut! If Walpole sports are so political, then how do they continue to be successful? Do you honestly think the field hockey coach starts her friends' daughters over more talented girls? Is your son really a more talented running back than Ryan Izzo? Granted, many if not most partents are incredibly pushy suckup helicoptor parents that will do anything to have their child succeed, but part of the deal is that the kids have to at least have enough inherent talent to make the team. I'd look more to youth sports, where Daddy coaches so that Junior gets to pitch as a bigger cesspool of nepotism than WHS, where ostensibly these professionals choose the team based on merit!

[Unregistered]

I am not from Walpole but from a town that underwent a terrible tragedy a few years ago. Please be reminded that your kids are watching how you handle things now. Unfortunately this event is now seared in their collective consciences. Be a good role model for them. Kids today have so much to have to deal with and they are just that ---kids. Take the burden off them. Talk to your daughters and sons about what happened and tell them to pray for the Villa family. We need to raise boys with an inner life that coincides with their outer life. With all the sexual images and messages thrown at them they need to be secure in themselves and know where the line is and know that lifes pleasures come from a solid moral and ethical ground. Apparently with the meetings with the 15 yo child and text messages alone the line was crossed by Mr. Villa. But I can't help but think as a casual observer that this was allowed to happen. " Speak up" this was allowed to happen under alot of adults noses at WHS. Hindsight is 20/20 and don't beat yourself up if you are second guessing something you may have seen or heard just move forward and vow to never let anything go unnoticed again. Better to be wrong and have questioned than what these families are going through now. They and the 15 yo are the real victims of all this. I hope Walpole will support Mrs. Villa and her children. They need their friends now more than ever. Reach out to them in a positive way. They need your grace. Thank you .

[Unregistered]

Yes, I am familiar with the Planning Board's Master Plan (http://walpole-ma.gov/Master_Plan_EO_418_Plan_June_2004.pdf) for development.

Tell me, where does the Master Plan address the curriculum of the public schools? Where does it address the relative weight of academic achievement vs. sports? Where does it provide guidance to the superintendent, principal, faculty, and coaches about what they should be teaching our students?

The School Committee asks for unnecessary overrides, hides "surplus funds" within their budgets, and hires athletic directors in the middle of a townwide hiring freeze and budget crisis. The taxpayers often have no idea what they are doing or why they are doing it.

We need a similar Master Plan document from the School Committee, based on public input, to elaborate on the formal goals and priorities of the Walpole Public School System. The School Committee would benefit greatly from the guidance that would come from such a document, especially during a crisis such as this.

The Strategic Plan is exactly what you are describing with an entire section devoted to curriculum. The State Curriculum Frameworks ARE the curriculum and are public.

[Unregistered]

If you play my son, I'll play your son." So why does this town have sports tryouts? Has anyone asked this question?? This has been the mentality of the town for many years. Coaches do whatever they want. Including Mr. Villa. They pick and play whoever they want regardless of talent, so, who you know really helps in this town. It makes me sick. There has been no accountability as of yet for these wanna be egotistical coaches. Give me a break. Open your eyes people. I hope the young of this town that have yet experienced the heartbreak of not being picked on a sports team, because "it is Political", will learn from this big disappointing, embarrassing mess. I wish this for their parents and wish them luck. Maybe the realization that there are boundaries that cannot be crossed, and a certain code of conduct that is expected for all teachers, including coaches in school and out of school should be understood !!!! This town needs to change.

Not a bad post here...But a reach to link it to the current crisis..

Walpole is indeed a town that is run by a few people....But this is how it has been for quite some time and will not change until those people are gone.

[Unregistered]

I am not a resident of Walpole.
I would have a microscope on WHS Principal and Supt' Lynch. What did they know and when? The sports rhetoric.....absolutely ridiculous. Your town is imploding and you can't stop it.

Focus your efforts on WHS administration.

Entire situation is sad for all victims.

[Unregistered]

Boston Globe just posted on boston.com that Villa's bail was reduced today to $7500 in Dedham Superior Court. Just typical. And for those suggesting that we need a football coach right away for all the junior players, no we don't. The school system needs to focus on this issue and not resumes. Varsity players in this town -football is the worst but also field hockey-are treated as pampered poodles both in hs and college. Then, what happens? Most of them go on to ordinary, if not menial, jobs that they would have had without all the pampering. Or is it the coddling that makes them unprepared for the challenges of real life? The administration and school committee better come up with some answers.

Nothing to do with field hockey. We've had a fair share of issues with administration, just like every team has had theirs. Football gets ALL of the booster money. Lay off.

[Unregistered]

If you play my son, I'll play your son." So why does this town have sports tryouts? Has anyone asked this question?? This has been the mentality of the town for many years. Coaches do whatever they want. Including Mr. Villa. They pick and play whoever they want regardless of talent, so, who you know really helps in this town. It makes me sick. There has been no accountability as of yet for these wanna be egotistical coaches. Give me a break. Open your eyes people. I hope the young of this town that have yet experienced the heartbreak of not being picked on a sports team, because "it is Political", will learn from this big disappointing, embarrassing mess. I wish this for their parents and wish them luck. Maybe the realization that there are boundaries that cannot be crossed, and a certain code of conduct that is expected for all teachers, including coaches in school and out of school should be understood !!!! This town needs to change.

We need a volunteer citizens advisory committee to oversee our youth athletic programs, especially football. And those volunteers HAVE to be non-sports fans.

Have you ever watched one of the practices of the kids in the junior level (the small kids 10 years old) behind the town hall? I was walking by one night entering the town hall on late night business and stopped to watch a practice session. It looked like hundreds (I am not kidding) of kids, being run through the paces with adults shouting at them like they were little Marines! Yeah, I know you have to be tough, but USMC - style shouting and even pushing (I saw an adult push a kids head down to the ground)? How about when they practice after dark...in the cold rain? WHat kind of parents let their small boys go through this? These kids look no older than 9 or 10 years old.

This appears to be a sort of grooming of the kids for their future goal: to be part of the Walpole Rebel Machine when they grow up.

This obsession with pushing the kids is plain sickening to me. It MUST be stopped. Furthermore, it builds in the child a concept at a very small age that the coach is the boss, and no one should dare cross him, no one! It builds what I see as a type of cult here in town. That program needs NON_ATHLETICALLY involved parents to be overseers. They need to let up on these kids, and the parents have to acknowledge they are grooming their kids to play football at a higher level. It is no wonder that the gridiron boosters claim that there are nearly 150 kids and coaches on the Walpole High team. How the HELL do you work out two teams (varsity and jv) out of 150 people? It is absolutely preposterous and out of control! Does the high school baseball team have 150 kids in it? The basketball team? the track team? The obsession with Football is becoming sickening, and I beleive that the townfolk looked the other way with this recent event because they have been groomed to do so for YEARS. I am sure the mainstream media is going to make an in-depth story about this, and Walpole is going to be the subject. I Feel for all of the unwitting people involved who will be the subject of that story.

[Unregistered]

What are the credentials of Coach Villa? Did he finish his schooling? Does he have a Bachelor's Degree? Does he have a teaching certificate? What are the educational requirements to become a Massachusetts teacher? Are they different for retired NFL players? I urge someone to look into this matter. I'm sure by now someone is trying to bury it!

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Write that book . The title could be "Glory ! but at what price?" The sports mentality has always been " get them young and teach them your way" pushed from the cradle to the moment of success or failure .Those successful feel empowered those who fail feel a life long inadequacy.

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Poster 204 obviously never played football. Sure we should have nonsports-oriented parents as an advisory committee overseeing the youth program. Yes, and we should have uncoordinated people advising the dance class and illiterate people working at the library! That is perhaps the most inane thought on all these posts. First: All the coaches are CORI-screened, unpaid volunteers. They all give up 100's of hours of leisure and family time to coach a game they love. They give up their August vacations to prepare the kids for the season. The kids all want to be there, and there are wating lists for more kids. My experience with the program is that my son never does better in school or at home than during the fall, when he learns to prioritize his time and homework to make sure he can still play football. Why don't you come to a game on Sundays and see the precision, the dedication, and the skill and passion these kids play with? Have you seen the look of joy and accomplishment on a kid's face when what he has practiced works and he achieves a level of success in a game that he didn't think he was capable of? I have..try it some time, instead of casting aspersions on that you know nothing about. Football requires dedication, teamwork, physical conditioning, intelligence and desire. All positive attributes. Practices are not military exercises, and there is nothing wrong with unquestioned respect for authority, as long as that relationship is recognized and protected. Still feel strongly about the program? Contact a board member instead of anonymous carping!

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It's time for self introspection and the examination of the sports and political culture that led up to this unfortunate situation. The "sports is king" and "I'm untouchable because I'm an athlete" mentality needs to change along with the mindset of those parents and coaches who share this mentality. High school sports is not a precursor to professional and ethical success. Sports have their place in a high school but the focus should be academics. My kids participated in sports at the high school but we always made sure that they understood that those activities were an an extracurricular activity. And we all know how political the sports programs are starting with the coaches who always play their kids (regardless of talent) and hand pick their teams. A change in the tight knit group who has been running the town politically and athletically would be welcome. Some have lost their way.

[Unregistered]

We need a volunteer citizens advisory committee to oversee our youth athletic programs, especially football. And those volunteers HAVE to be non-sports fans.

Have you ever watched one of the practices of the kids in the junior level (the small kids 10 years old) behind the town hall? I was walking by one night entering the town hall on late night business and stopped to watch a practice session. It looked like hundreds (I am not kidding) of kids, being run through the paces with adults shouting at them like they were little Marines! Yeah, I know you have to be tough, but USMC - style shouting and even pushing (I saw an adult push a kids head down to the ground)? How about when they practice after dark...in the cold rain? WHat kind of parents let their small boys go through this? These kids look no older than 9 or 10 years old.

This appears to be a sort of grooming of the kids for their future goal: to be part of the Walpole Rebel Machine when they grow up.

This obsession with pushing the kids is plain sickening to me. It MUST be stopped. Furthermore, it builds in the child a concept at a very small age that the coach is the boss, and no one should dare cross him, no one! It builds what I see as a type of cult here in town. That program needs NON_ATHLETICALLY involved parents to be overseers. They need to let up on these kids, and the parents have to acknowledge they are grooming their kids to play football at a higher level. It is no wonder that the gridiron boosters claim that there are nearly 150 kids and coaches on the Walpole High team. How the HELL do you work out two teams (varsity and jv) out of 150 people? It is absolutely preposterous and out of control! Does the high school baseball team have 150 kids in it? The basketball team? the track team? The obsession with Football is becoming sickening, and I beleive that the townfolk looked the other way with this recent event because they have been groomed to do so for YEARS. I am sure the mainstream media is going to make an in-depth story about this, and Walpole is going to be the subject. I Feel for all of the unwitting people involved who will be the subject of that story.

...and sadder still is the fact that even though so many children are working so hard,... half of them get very little play time. The children who are the son's of the power sports families get 10 times the playing time of most of the children. Childhood sports is about learning the game. The atheletes of the future are formed by giving them all of the play time, at the expense of the kids who are not "in" with the coaches. This starts from day one. When a child doesn't get a chance to play, they will never learn the game or develope skills. When another child plays 90% of the game time over a few years, they will naturally develope better skills. The problems start very young here in Walpole.....

[Unregistered]

So the kids who practice in the heat of the summer, who report in good physical shape and who enjoy the game are the "problem" kids in town..while the kids who "hang out" around the other side of town hall, or at 7-11, are the misunderstood kids who, had they only been given equal playing time, could have been stars? Whose priorities are warped here? WHS has drinking, drug, teen sex problems much like every other high school in America. That is not the fault of "power families" or lack of playing time at the youth level, or any individual teacher or authority figure. Look in the mirror permissive parents! That cell phone, that belly shirt, those "Juicy" sweats, those UGGS, that North Face!

[Unregistered]

...and sadder still is the fact that even though so many children are working so hard,... half of them get very little play time. The children who are the son's of the power sports families get 10 times the playing time of most of the children. Childhood sports is about learning the game. The atheletes of the future are formed by giving them all of the play time, at the expense of the kids who are not "in" with the coaches. This starts from day one. When a child doesn't get a chance to play, they will never learn the game or develope skills. When another child plays 90% of the game time over a few years, they will naturally develope better skills. The problems start very young here in Walpole.....

People can argue this stuff until they're blue in the face (politics in sports or who you know) but it will still bring us back to this point:

It's like this in suburban towns everywhere and it comes to a head like this when it becomes old vs. new. Or to be more clear, between people who have settled into a town vs. the people who have always lived there. You have townies and then you have the "let's not keep scores of youth games" people that are younger parents who have moved in and bought new development houses worth in the 100's of thousands of dollars. The resentment can go both ways. People want changes while others who have lived in towns for generations think things are fine just the way they are. The reality is that nothing changes overnight.

I would suggest to people that rail against current members that hold a seat on a board or who donate their time in town be it coaching or otherwise, that if it bothers you that much the way things are then come off the sidelines yourself and get involved. You want change? Run for an office. Is sports too serious for you? Then donate your time and get involved in coaching. But do something other than nothing but rant on a forum about how bad things are around here. If you're not willing to try to do your part for a better change then you're just a part of the problem.

But let's not think that high school football or high school sports in general has a higher held priority in a negative way in our town more than most other towns. Or that it's fairer everywhere else than it is here. It's not. Whatever side of this discussion people are on let's also remember that it's a separate discussion and has nothing to do with why this thread was started in the first place.

[Unregistered]

The problem is not the kids they have done nothing wrong except overcome obstacles like having to practice at Stone Field for years on rocks and Goose crap but you probably didn't notice that or if the town had the foresight to do a field with lights and get reimbursed by the state at 63% but no not in Smallpole. It is true from as far back as ten years ago when I was on the PW Board the vast majority of kids had their best grades during football season and for that matter when they were playing any sport. Do you know about the scholarships given out each year and the commitments made by football, lacrosse, soccer and others toward the new field probably not did you donate probably not you are probably getting building permits to take advantage of the town and kick it when it is down.The whole thing is a damn shame and one can only hope for the best for all the people involved mostly the kids but to single out the kids and athletes in particular is just missing the point.
How about taking a look at the Principal and the Dare officer for openers and asking what exactly have you guys been doing? I can think of at least 5 guys on the force who could do that job with both passion and compassion. I for one am not very comfortable if that change isn't made. I do not want to see kids drinking and driving and everything that goes with it but if our Dare officer was paying attention and perhaps picking up on some of the signs that have been described maybe this could have be avoided instead of trying to entrap kids at parties.
If you want to hurt the athletes than get ready for breakins over doses and god knows what else ask your friends in Norwood about these very topics that have been been happening on a regular basis this school year. Is the program perfect no are the kids no both athlete and non athlete but we need to protect our kids speaking of that what measures have been taken to keep the media away from the High School next week or is everybody skiing?
The most important thing is to have the people and plans in place so that kids can be kids and grow in a SAFE atmosphere. Right now I am afraid that we are lacking in both areas and I will add one more leadership it is time to step up Town Officials when you get back of course.

[Unregistered]

The problem is not the kids they have done nothing wrong except overcome obstacles like having to practice at Stone Field for years on rocks and Goose crap but you probably didn't notice that or if the town had the foresight to do a field with lights and get reimbursed by the state at 63% but no not in Smallpole. It is true from as far back as ten years ago when I was on the PW Board the vast majority of kids had their best grades during football season and for that matter when they were playing any sport. Do you know about the scholarships given out each year and the commitments made by football, lacrosse, soccer and others toward the new field probably not did you donate probably not you are probably getting building permits to take advantage of the town and kick it when it is down.The whole thing is a damn shame and one can only hope for the best for all the people involved mostly the kids but to single out the kids and athletes in particular is just missing the point.
How about taking a look at the Principal and the Dare officer for openers and asking what exactly have you guys been doing? I can think of at least 5 guys on the force who could do that job with both passion and compassion. I for one am not very comfortable if that change isn't made. I do not want to see kids drinking and driving and everything that goes with it but if our Dare officer was paying attention and perhaps picking up on some of the signs that have been described maybe this could have be avoided instead of trying to entrap kids at parties.
If you want to hurt the athletes than get ready for breakins over doses and god knows what else ask your friends in Norwood about these very topics that have been been happening on a regular basis this school year. Is the program perfect no are the kids no both athlete and non athlete but we need to protect our kids speaking of that what measures have been taken to keep the media away from the High School next week or is everybody skiing?
The most important thing is to have the people and plans in place so that kids can be kids and grow in a SAFE atmosphere. Right now I am afraid that we are lacking in both areas and I will add one more leadership it is time to step up Town Officials when you get back of course.


to this poster: Please insert periods at appropriate points. Maybe "coach" can help you.

:) :) :) :)

[Unregistered]

I would suggest to people that rail against current members that hold a seat on a board or who donate their time in town be it coaching or otherwise, that if it bothers you that much the way things are then come off the sidelines yourself and get involved. You want change? Run for an office. Is sports too serious for you? Then donate your time and get involved in coaching. But do something other than nothing but rant on a forum about how bad things are around here. If you're not willing to try to do your part for a better change then you're just a part of the problem.

Right on !!!!!

From Col. Nathan Jessep himself (excerpts):

Son, we live in a world that has walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You?

I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a weapon and stand a post.

[Unregistered]

"It’s something I need to devote 100 percent to at this time," Villa said. "As I tell all my Walpole players, your family has to come first."

Oh, it does? Said by a real family man.

[Unregistered]

Poster 204 obviously never played football. Sure we should have nonsports-oriented parents as an advisory committee overseeing the youth program. Yes, and we should have uncoordinated people advising the dance class and illiterate people working at the library! That is perhaps the most inane thought on all these posts. First: All the coaches are CORI-screened, unpaid volunteers. They all give up 100's of hours of leisure and family time to coach a game they love. They give up their August vacations to prepare the kids for the season. The kids all want to be there, and there are wating lists for more kids. My experience with the program is that my son never does better in school or at home than during the fall, when he learns to prioritize his time and homework to make sure he can still play football. Why don't you come to a game on Sundays and see the precision, the dedication, and the skill and passion these kids play with? Have you seen the look of joy and accomplishment on a kid's face when what he has practiced works and he achieves a level of success in a game that he didn't think he was capable of? I have..try it some time, instead of casting aspersions on that you know nothing about. Football requires dedication, teamwork, physical conditioning, intelligence and desire. All positive attributes. Practices are not military exercises, and there is nothing wrong with unquestioned respect for authority, as long as that relationship is recognized and protected. Still feel strongly about the program? Contact a board member instead of anonymous carping!
sorry, but I will never agree with you.

Regarding all the claims about intelligence. Need I say more than "danny villa" who YOU FOLKS thought walked on water? (I must admit he measured up to the "Desire" comment! :)

Yes, at one time I did play a little football as a small boy. I didn't like it for one main reason: IT WAS FRIGGIN BORING.

The game stopped every play. We had to be told what to do next. That is not real life, friend.

Life is longer than a 2-hour football game where you are told what to do every, what, 15 seconds? Its a simple game that is open to everyone to play....reason: ITS SIMPLE. No wonder some of the linemen end up totally lost after high school graduation. They were trained to have the intelligence of fenceposts!

Soccer? Takes a HELL OF A LOT MORE BRAINS AND ATHLETICISM. It requires teamwork, vision, and 300 pounders do not make the grade. That goes for Basketball, Baseball, track and field, girls field hockey, lacrosse and ice hockey. No dimwits allowed in those sports. But you overweight weekend coach-pototaoes (intentional spelling) seem to think Boring Rebel-Ball is the way to Nirvana!

[Unregistered]

In the 21st century, this is an outrage! With all the sexual harassment laws in place, how could a coach, teacher, AD be in a position to proposition a young girl. Where are the controls in the Walpole High School? This is an outrage but not something Walpole High School has never seen before. This behavior of our Walpole coaches has been going on for over 30 years. I guess it does not matter who the principal is or who the superintendant is, nothing will ever change in Walpole. Football is king and the coaches & players are the superior beings and are placed above all, including the law. Shame on Walpole for continuing a hiring trend that tolerates sexual predators to take advantage of underage females. The Walpole Police should investigate this matter with a diligence to make sure that this poor young girl is not the only victim. My heart goes out to this young girl, Villa’s wife and children. My heart goes out to all the girls in the last 30 yrs that the school and parents did not listen to them. They are the victims. Football should be last thing on peoples minds. Protect the girls at WHS….

[Unregistered]

This thread is about Danny Villa being charged with the enticement and rape of a 15 year old girl. It is not about any of the Walpole sports teams. He happened to be the AD, the football coach and a teacher. Whatever his profession is, it is irrelevant. What he is accused of, is what is relevant. Anyone in any profession can commit a crime such as this. We have seen it time and again. Unfortunately, it is usually a person that works directly with children. That's what molesters do, they always try to get as close to kids as they can, usually in a working atmosphere, and then use their power over them to get their end result, which is assault. And for the record, before everyone starts posting about how I'm a pro-sports Walpolian at no-cost, I am a parent of kids involved in sports and not involved in sports in this town.

[Unregistered]

1. Let’s stay focused on the issue: a man with authority over children, allegedly misused his authority in the most disgusting way.

2. I do not believe that any school administrator would recklessly allow such a situation to continue if they were aware of it.

3. I believe that there has been a severe lack of oversight on the part of administration towards the athletic department. I have not known school administrators to be big athletic fans, more academic in nature, and just assumed things were being taken care of. There have been many changes in administration over the past years, but only 3 football coaches since the late 1960’s so attitudes and behaviors may have been passed down, but never questioned. ADs should never coach

4. There is a big difference between the travel teams/pop warner/rec department teams and high school teams in terms of team selection and play. High school coaches don’t care what a kid did at the younger level…they just want to see that they have some talent and are coachable.Most high school coaches don’t even pay attention to these teams. So there’s a lot of needless worry and politics out there for middle school sports. My kid was not a favorite at the travel team level, but guess what, few of the fellow travel team members who got all the playing time cuz their parents were coaching made the high school team. But lo and behold, my kid made the high school team. I kept my mouth shut, supported my kid and kept our eye on high school and it paid off. Try doing the same and you may find you won’t miss the anxiety. Playing time on high school teams is given to the kids that produce, the team wants to win, and those who can get the team there will play. If you don't like that, then encourage your kid to play intramurals, they will get all the playing time they want.

[Unregistered]

#198 You're WRONG!!!!! Learn how to Spell!!!

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it's such a shame that one man's actions caused such pain and now that pain is rippling out to engulf all of Walpole....the community is taking sides.. kids against kids, adults against adults..people are lashing out in anger at each other, instead of focusing on the real issue, the issue at hand. A young girl was manipulated by a coach, a teacher, someone she looked up to..two families have been shattered and everyone is pointing fingers at everyone else..every community has it's issues surrounding it's daily life of schools, sports, politics etc, things could be done better, mistakes are made, changes are needed..but, I think that being a real community means coming together in the good and bad times, to help the community survive we have to lean on each other in times like these, and not alienate each other..we have to come together as a united people to right the wrongs and to make the place we all call home a stronger, better place...it can be done as long as we work together...

[Unregistered]

This thread is about Danny Villa being charged with the enticement and rape of a 15 year old girl. It is not about any of the Walpole sports teams. He happened to be the AD, the football coach and a teacher. Whatever his profession is, it is irrelevant. What he is accused of, is what is relevant. Anyone in any profession can commit a crime such as this. We have seen it time and again. Unfortunately, it is usually a person that works directly with children. That's what molesters do, they always try to get as close to kids as they can, usually in a working atmosphere, and then use their power over them to get their end result, which is assault. And for the record, before everyone starts posting about how I'm a pro-sports Walpolian at no-cost, I am a parent of kids involved in sports and not involved in sports in this town.


Its the old walpole rebel cult quarterback sneak!!

Take the focus off of the real problem: Overzealous boob parents who clapped their hands like little children when Danny Villa came on. Yippee...! WE have a former NFL & Patriots player for OUR coach! He is a great FATHER FIGURE and MENTOR. Did he even have accreditation to teach any subject?

This is the culmination of decades of aversion to anything but winning at all costs.

If the town gets sued for some reason regarding this, I say shut down the football program PRONTO. All other programs do not have this cult mindset.

I know the numbers were public: what was Danny Villa pulling in for $$ at Walpole high? Will a former Spanish student please chime in here, and let us know if you learned anything from Villa about Spanish. We want to know....

[Unregistered]

And what about his math class? Let's see: was it about subtraction, 44 minus 15? I only hope WPS has hired police details to keep every media outlet away from the school on Mon.

[Unregistered]

So #216 had a bad youth football experience, so now the sport is "simple" and "friggin' boring" and soccer is so much better. That's like watching a mite hockey game and saying I'll never watch the Bruins because the game is too slow. Please understand football and all other sports are extracurricular activities, and the intelligence of the participants are as varied as the rest of the class. It really shows your lack of intelligence to say that a pedophile creep is indicative of the intelligence of any group. I guess Gerry Studds is a real smart politician by your logic. Or Bernie Law was not a learned man. Go watch a youth soccer game where no one keeps score and convince me to buy Revolution tickets. Leave the football kids alone. The only mentality that caused this problem lies with the AD, the Principal, and the Spanish Department, as well as the girls' basketball coaches..what did they know?

[Unregistered]

Just opened up my letter from WHS about what will happen on Monday.

IMO its a joke. I read the first part to actually say " I am totally not responsible for anything that happened and am in no way responsible"

Second, rumors or gossip will not be tolerated, but feel free to have the kids speak about it. They are so out of touch with kids. I would like to know who the experts are and what their credentials are because I think they are way missing the mark on this one.

If I was a kids reading this stuff there is no way I would ever come forward if I knew something or anything happened to me. The "statements" that have come from WHS do nothing but say to me we are not liable and we want to get it over with ASAP.

Let these kids talk and ask questions about what they are hearing and reading. They want to know. They are entitled to answers about why the adults in control have failed them in this situation. And maybe football, or sports, is not important to adults, but to some of these kids, who looked up to Villa, and yes some were not athletes, it is important for them. Its part of their routine that gives them their sense of security. Even kids not involved with Villa or sports have had their since of security, or school pride, or whatever you want to call it, pulled out from under them. How do we teach these kids to put the pieces back togther, to support each other in positive ways. To come together as a community to support Mrs. Villa, her kids and the victim. To teach them compassion because it is still their father, who will always be their father. To talk about forgiveness and moving forward. How to take a terrible situation and try to found ways to have good come from it. I don't see how this letter address what our kids really need. It is just a lame attempt at a duck and cover because you better believe, since the vics family comes from a long line of attorneys, a big settlement is in the schools future. And judging from the 2 letter released from the school, they know it.

[Unregistered]

Its the old walpole rebel cult quarterback sneak!!

Take the focus off of the real problem: Overzealous boob parents who clapped their hands like little children when Danny Villa came on. Yippee...! WE have a former NFL & Patriots player for OUR coach! He is a great FATHER FIGURE and MENTOR. Did he even have accreditation to teach any subject?

This is the culmination of decades of aversion to anything but winning at all costs.

If the town gets sued for some reason regarding this, I say shut down the football program PRONTO. All other programs do not have this cult mindset.

I know the numbers were public: what was Danny Villa pulling in for $$ at Walpole high? Will a former Spanish student please chime in here, and let us know if you learned anything from Villa about Spanish. We want to know....

So basically what your saying is it's the town, the school department, the police, and of course all the sports teams, especially that football team, and the towns people fault that Danny Villa did what he has been accused of?

From what I understand he met the credentials they were asking for. I haven't seen any evidence that he did not. I've HEARD that he hasn't but haven't SEEN it. I would like to see it if it exists.

Of course the parents, players, and whoever else, was exicted to have him coach their football team! Who wouldn't have been, he's a retired professional football player. You'd be a boob if you didn't think he was a good choice to coach a football team! That is a ridiculous statement. No one knew what he was all about and he certainly had no documented history of it or they wouldn't have hired him. So shoot everyone for wanting a good football coach. Geesh. And they didn't hire him just because he played football, he must have a degree in teaching otherwise he would not have been allowed to teach. He may not have his masters but must have his bachelors. Again, I don't know for sure and will have to wait and see what his actual credentials are. I would think the school committee would not have been allowed to hire him, by law, if he didn't meet those requirements.

Stop bashing the whole entire town of Walpole and stick to the facts. Again, this is about Danny Villa and what he has been accused of, not about the sports teams or any other activity that our kids are involved in.

[Unregistered]

And what about his math class? Let's see: was it about subtraction, 44 minus 15? I only hope WPS has hired police details to keep every media outlet away from the school on Mon.

I was thinking that too. The media was al;l over Walpole the begininngof last week. Leave the kids alone on Monday.

[Unregistered]

Can we please bring back the registration page. People need to be held accountable for the crap they say here and not behind anonymous.

[Unregistered]

sorry, but I will never agree with you.

Regarding all the claims about intelligence. Need I say more than "danny villa" who YOU FOLKS thought walked on water? (I must admit he measured up to the "Desire" comment! :)

Yes, at one time I did play a little football as a small boy. I didn't like it for one main reason: IT WAS FRIGGIN BORING.

The game stopped every play. We had to be told what to do next. That is not real life, friend.

Life is longer than a 2-hour football game where you are told what to do every, what, 15 seconds? Its a simple game that is open to everyone to play....reason: ITS SIMPLE. No wonder some of the linemen end up totally lost after high school graduation. They were trained to have the intelligence of fenceposts!

Soccer? Takes a HELL OF A LOT MORE BRAINS AND ATHLETICISM. It requires teamwork, vision, and 300 pounders do not make the grade. That goes for Basketball, Baseball, track and field, girls field hockey, lacrosse and ice hockey. No dimwits allowed in those sports. But you overweight weekend coach-pototaoes (intentional spelling) seem to think Boring Rebel-Ball is the way to Nirvana!


You say that "real life" is not boring and that in this " real life" nobody takes orders on what to do next in their lives. As almost everybody past the age of 7 knows, almost everybody takes orders in their adult professions, and that a high percentage of people consider these professions to be quite "boring".

So soccer takes more brains and athleticism than football? It is obvious that you don't remember much from your glory days as a boy playing football. Every single person on a football team must know their role and responsibilities on every single play for a team to achieve success.

Sure, it most definitely takes an extreme amount of athleticism to play in a soccer game. It is also true that not every football player has the talent to play soccer. But to dismiss football players' athleticism as anything less than that possessed by soccer players. I can assure that after seeing the preseason training programs for varsity soccer and football teams, that football players are subjected to much more strenuous training that many soccer players could not withstand.

And sure, most 300 pound offensive tackles couldn't play for the Varsity Rebels soccer team. But how many of the soccer players possess half the strength needed to play on either of the lines on any high school football team. Considering I know from first hand experience, you should listen to me when I say that these "dumb ol' linemen" work just as hard as any soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball, or field hockey player, and that they are required to know much more about their sport than any other player in any other sport. These " big dummies" must memorize more on every single play than any other player, guarding the quarterback.

So before you open your ignorant mouth on these boards badmouthing innocent players, not to mention high school students, consider the facts. And just out of curiosity would you be so aggressive towards people if you had to put your real name on you post? Because I can almost promise you that there are FRESHMAN lineman that probably outweigh you, that could keep up with you in any physical event, ESPECIALLY in the Walpole Rebel weight room.

And this is certainly not any sort or an attack on soccer players, or lacrosse players, or any student athlete. It should be taken as an attack on the foolish person who made this comment.

[Unregistered]

Did he actually teach math and Spanish, or was that something made up by the media? I never heard that he taught classes before I read it in the news....

[Unregistered]

Just opened up my letter from WHS about what will happen on Monday.

IMO its a joke. I read the first part to actually say " I am totally not responsible for anything that happened and am in no way responsible"

Second, rumors or gossip will not be tolerated, but feel free to have the kids speak about it. They are so out of touch with kids. I would like to know who the experts are and what their credentials are because I think they are way missing the mark on this one.

If I was a kids reading this stuff there is no way I would ever come forward if I knew something or anything happened to me. The "statements" that have come from WHS do nothing but say to me we are not liable and we want to get it over with ASAP.

Let these kids talk and ask questions about what they are hearing and reading. They want to know. They are entitled to answers about why the adults in control have failed them in this situation. And maybe football, or sports, is not important to adults, but to some of these kids, who looked up to Villa, and yes some were not athletes, it is important for them. Its part of their routine that gives them their sense of security. Even kids not involved with Villa or sports have had their since of security, or school pride, or whatever you want to call it, pulled out from under them. How do we teach these kids to put the pieces back togther, to support each other in positive ways. To come together as a community to support Mrs. Villa, her kids and the victim. To teach them compassion because it is still their father, who will always be their father. To talk about forgiveness and moving forward. How to take a terrible situation and try to found ways to have good come from it. I don't see how this letter address what our kids really need. It is just a lame attempt at a duck and cover because you better believe, since the vics family comes from a long line of attorneys, a big settlement is in the schools future. And judging from the 2 letter released from the school, they know it.

This entire message is completely incoherent. There is probably not one real sentence in this message. You probably do not want me to vet every sentence. It would be ugly. I wrote my commenbs in complete sentences and complete thoughts about the situation re Villa and they were not posted. Mr. Glynn, it's about time for you to post your standards. We are listening. I am fed up.

[Unregistered]

it's such a shame that one man's actions caused such pain and now that pain is rippling out to engulf all of Walpole....the community is taking sides.. kids against kids, adults against adults..people are lashing out in anger at each other, instead of focusing on the real issue, the issue at hand. A young girl was manipulated by a coach, a teacher, someone she looked up to..two families have been shattered and everyone is pointing fingers at everyone else..every community has it's issues surrounding it's daily life of schools, sports, politics etc, things could be done better, mistakes are made, changes are needed..but, I think that being a real community means coming together in the good and bad times, to help the community survive we have to lean on each other in times like these, and not alienate each other..we have to come together as a united people to right the wrongs and to make the place we all call home a stronger, better place...it can be done as long as we work together...

I agree with this post. There are many things I do not like about Walpole, but more things I do like. The best thing we can gain from this tragedy, is a better understanding of ourselves as a community, and a better road on which to travel forward. Things often slide into a place that suprises us. It happens slowly, so no one notices. I think we can improve our standards in local politics, the running of our schools, and our value on sports and winning. Does that mean what we have is a disaster? Absolutely not. Just like in our own lives, things happen that wake us up and re-focus our priorities. This is one of those things.

Are our failings due to evil and mean spirited people? No. Many people give an awful lot of themselves. Do some of them gain from that? Yes. Is that an altruistic act. No. Not everyone does the right thing for the right reason. But if we have gained a team for our son's and daughters to play on, make friends, and learn some physical and life skills... well then all is not lost. I truly believ that sometimes we get so deep in the forest that we just cannot see all of the trees. This is not about throwing the baby out with the bath water. But this can and should be about learning what went wrong. Looking at ourselves, our town, our leaders, and our direction. We should not destroy one another over this, but begin rebuilding our commitment to values, dignity, and compassion for young, old, smart, not so smart, athletic, clumsy, artistic, and analytical. With out all of these differing ingredients we would be a pretty bland soup.

Let's stop the anger. End the mean spirited acusations. Leave the insults and name calling for the playground. But let's do continue with an intelligent dialogue that may be uncomfortable at times, but will make us think. That will bring about needed change. That is how we grow up. Because no matter how old you are,... the growing up never stops.

[Unregistered]

I first start out by saying..my heart goes out to all! In this new era of kids..its so easy to target one that appears maybe off.the way they dress ect ect..yet none will judge someone who appears well to do..or is looked up at because of a position they are in..so there you go..as my title reads "NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER"!

[Unregistered]

I think that replacing Villa with Jim Erker as interim AD was a responsible, intelligent thing to do. There is a lot of coordination involved in managing coaches, teams, buses schedules etc. especially during the winter sports season. Someone was needed to step in and take over this job immediately and you couldn't ask for a more decent, hardworking man than Jim Erker. There is a lot to consider in this role in the next several months; meetings with coaches, parents and athletes will need to be held and possibly guest speakers who will need to help us all get through this horrific ordeal. All of which needs to be coordinated and managed by someone with the utmost credentials. Jim Erker is above reproach and can help this community with the healing process. As for those who worry about the cost-get over it-once Villa resigned, that freed up his salary to pay for a replacement.

This town is VERY lucky to have someone like Jim Erker to step in and help. He is truly a good man with years of dedication to this community and ANYONE who attemps to pick on him is just a loser. Thank you MR Erker for coming back at this very low, sad time to help our children.

[Unregistered]

You say that "real life" is not boring and that in this " real life" nobody takes orders on what to do next in their lives. As almost everybody past the age of 7 knows, almost everybody takes orders in their adult professions, and that a high percentage of people consider these professions to be quite "boring".

So soccer takes more brains and athleticism than football? It is obvious that you don't remember much from your glory days as a boy playing football. Every single person on a football team must know their role and responsibilities on every single play for a team to achieve success.

Sure, it most definitely takes an extreme amount of athleticism to play in a soccer game. It is also true that not every football player has the talent to play soccer. But to dismiss football players' athleticism as anything less than that possessed by soccer players. I can assure that after seeing the preseason training programs for varsity soccer and football teams, that football players are subjected to much more strenuous training that many soccer players could not withstand.

And sure, most 300 pound offensive tackles couldn't play for the Varsity Rebels soccer team. But how many of the soccer players possess half the strength needed to play on either of the lines on any high school football team. Considering I know from first hand experience, you should listen to me when I say that these "dumb ol' linemen" work just as hard as any soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball, or field hockey player, and that they are required to know much more about their sport than any other player in any other sport. These " big dummies" must memorize more on every single play than any other player, guarding the quarterback.

So before you open your ignorant mouth on these boards badmouthing innocent players, not to mention high school students, consider the facts. And just out of curiosity would you be so aggressive towards people if you had to put your real name on you post? Because I can almost promise you that there are FRESHMAN lineman that probably outweigh you, that could keep up with you in any physical event, ESPECIALLY in the Walpole Rebel weight room.

And this is certainly not any sort or an attack on soccer players, or lacrosse players, or any student athlete. It should be taken as an attack on the foolish person who made this comment.
Well said!! Looks like we have an INTELLIGENT voice of reason coming from a student athlete at WHS . Very well written and I do hope you have embarassed the original poster with his "dumb as fence posts" comment. It is obvious the original poster meant to insult football players for their physical attributes as well as their intelligence, looks like this young man proved him wrong. BRAVO

[Unregistered]

Well said!! Looks like we have an INTELLIGENT voice of reason coming from a student athlete at WHS . Very well written and I do hope you have embarassed the original poster with his "dumb as fence posts" comment. It is obvious the original poster meant to insult football players for their physical attributes as well as their intelligence, looks like this young man proved him wrong. BRAVO

Well written, yes.

But I doubt very much that was written by a student! more like and adult who is involved.

the kids don't post comments on this board. They are too busy text-messaging and using facebook and myspace. This spot is for the old folks... :)

[Unregistered]

sorry, but I will never agree with you.

Regarding all the claims about intelligence. Need I say more than "danny villa" who YOU FOLKS thought walked on water? (I must admit he measured up to the "Desire" comment! :)

Yes, at one time I did play a little football as a small boy. I didn't like it for one main reason: IT WAS FRIGGIN BORING.

The game stopped every play. We had to be told what to do next. That is not real life, friend.

Life is longer than a 2-hour football game where you are told what to do every, what, 15 seconds? Its a simple game that is open to everyone to play....reason: ITS SIMPLE. No wonder some of the linemen end up totally lost after high school graduation. They were trained to have the intelligence of fenceposts!

Soccer? Takes a HELL OF A LOT MORE BRAINS AND ATHLETICISM. It requires teamwork, vision, and 300 pounders do not make the grade. That goes for Basketball, Baseball, track and field, girls field hockey, lacrosse and ice hockey. No dimwits allowed in those sports. But you overweight weekend coach-pototaoes (intentional spelling) seem to think Boring Rebel-Ball is the way to Nirvana!

And this is what I love about this town. At least there is a firm sense of social darwinism. You, a person so better enlightened, more intelligent, and more physically fit (?) than the three hundred pound linemen who shoved you into lockers in the eleventh grade has obviously gone on to achieve such a better life than his football-wielding counterparts, right? Oh, wait...

Here you are: behaving like an indignant child and hoping to engage in a pissing contest with the cool kids about who is the better athlete: the football player or the soccer player. The ultimate bomb tosser, you are throwing out offensive allegations and just waiting to catch someone's ear. You were ignored all four years of high school by these dumb, fat jocks, so now (with the innumerable benefits of internet anonymity) you might actually be heard - you might finally have the cool kids attention.

Well let me tell you something. Despite their being (in your words, not mine) dumb, fat, and ill-fit for any life experiences outside the football field, the three hundred pound lineman could still stuff you into a locker. He could still get a better seat at Finnegan's Wake. And I am sure he is perfectly content on his path to your so-called "Nirvana." Because football (like your former advocate most astutely argued) taught him "real life" lessons. He has learned to face the hand that life dealt him (his sturdy stature, surely) and make the most of it. While you - although you are surely better equipped than he in all aspects physical, mental, and intellectual - still can't get over the inequalities of high school.

We all know that what Danny Villa did was wrong. But let us remember, it is Danny Villa - and not the players - who is the culprit here. Attacking three hundred pound lineman is not a legitimate response to the Danny Villa trial. If you need a place to vent about your nerdy school years, pour your little heart out to a diary. But stay off the message boards. Both your opinions and your life experiences contribute nothing to this thread.

[Unregistered]

Gee poster #231, if you had read the letter that the school sent out yesterday, you would have understood the post, which, by the way, I thought had some very good points. If your "thoughtful and intelligent" posts conveyed any messages close to what you just wrote, no wonder they are not posted on this board.

This issue now has to move forward. We can do all the finger pointing we want. But that will not help the KIDS, which is should be our primary focus now. Sports, music, art, theatre, academics....its all a part of who they are and what they do every day. Those things should not stop just because of one persons choices.

The hard fact these kids should learn is choices have consequences. This issue has nothing to do with playing a sport, or being an honor student or being a member of the chess club. Hopefully our kids seeing this first hand, how bad choices ruin lives, will save some of them from making bad choices that have life altering consequences.

And if I had incorrect sentence structure or misspelled words, I apologize ahead to time. By the way, there was a misspelled word in your post. Oh the horror!!!!

[Unregistered]

And this is what I love about this town. At least there is a firm sense of social darwinism. You, a person so better enlightened, more intelligent, and more physically fit (?) than the three hundred pound linemen who shoved you into lockers in the eleventh grade has obviously gone on to achieve such a better life than his football-wielding counterparts, right? Oh, wait...

Here you are: behaving like an indignant child and hoping to engage in a pissing contest with the cool kids about who is the better athlete: the football player or the soccer player. The ultimate bomb tosser, you are throwing out offensive allegations and just waiting to catch someone's ear. You were ignored all four years of high school by these dumb, fat jocks, so now (with the innumerable benefits of internet anonymity) you might actually be heard - you might finally have the cool kids attention.

Well let me tell you something. Despite their being (in your words, not mine) dumb, fat, and ill-fit for any life experiences outside the football field, the three hundred pound lineman could still stuff you into a locker. He could still get a better seat at Finnegan's Wake. And I am sure he is perfectly content on his path to your so-called "Nirvana." Because football (like your former advocate most astutely argued) taught him "real life" lessons. He has learned to face the hand that life dealt him (his sturdy stature, surely) and make the most of it. While you - although you are surely better equipped than he in all aspects physical, mental, and intellectual - still can't get over the inequalities of high school.

We all know that what Danny Villa did was wrong. But let us remember, it is Danny Villa - and not the players - who is the culprit here. Attacking three hundred pound lineman is not a legitimate response to the Danny Villa trial. If you need a place to vent about your nerdy school years, pour your little heart out to a diary. But stay off the message boards. Both your opinions and your life experiences contribute nothing to this thread.

Stuffing in a locker? What is going on here? have you all gone absolutely nuts? Is the ability to stuff someone into a locker considered being a good athlete?

This type of rhetoric from the athletics supporters is what divides this town. Its embarrassing to see.

I agree with the poster about registered posts only. Maybe for only a short while, until this all settles down.

[Unregistered]

I don't want the media here Monday to harass, uh, I mean interview, the kids. I called the Boston Globe and I am still waiting for a call back.
Any other ideas?

[Unregistered]

You think the superintendent did not agonize over that letter? Obviously you have never been in a position of authority or you could not have been so dismissive of his attempt to deal with this atrocious issue. Do you wish you were responsible for dealing with this mess during the holidays? Can you turn off your computer and enjoy a social get-together? SHUT UP OR RUN FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE!!

[Unregistered]

This town is VERY lucky to have someone like Jim Erker to step in and help. He is truly a good man with years of dedication to this community and ANYONE who attemps to pick on him is just a loser. Thank you MR Erker for coming back at this very low, sad time to help our children.

Totally agree on Mr Erker. He was one of the first teachers I had when I moved here and I was in the 7th grade at East Junior High. Hope he can put some respect back into Walpole High School

[Unregistered]

I don't want the media here Monday to harass, uh, I mean interview, the kids. I called the Boston Globe and I am still waiting for a call back.
Any other ideas?

The other thing you might do is call the news departments of the various TV stations. I dont know who is around on a Saturday but I can guarentee they will all be there so they can do live shots Monday morning. Im not sure if they even read the emails they encourage on their websites.

[sdobar]

It's time for Mr. Glynn to shut this thread down. There are too many people attacking each other and town officials, and bringing up irrelevant issues. This thread, and this website, has generated a lot of attention over the past two weeks. It is time that we move on, repair the damage Mr. Villa has inflicted on us, and make sure this never happens again anywhere in the Walpole Public School system. Enough said. We don't need to argue with each other.

[Unregistered]

The other thing you might do is call the news departments of the various TV stations. I dont know who is around on a Saturday but I can guarentee they will all be there so they can do live shots Monday morning. Im not sure if they even read the emails they encourage on their websites.

The media will be here on Monday no matter what. I am encouraging all the kids and their friends to just say "no comment" and keep walking. Hopefully, if the media gets few responses, they will do their news piece quick and leave them all alone. The media will probably be back on Wednesday or Thursday again, when he goes to court. It's going to be a long week in Walpole.

[Unregistered]

Thanks, I will get on that.. I will keep you posted.

[Unregistered]

Well written, yes.

But I doubt very much that was written by a student! more like and adult who is involved.

the kids don't post comments on this board. They are too busy text-messaging and using facebook and myspace. This spot is for the old folks... :)


He is a fourteen year old freshman at Walpole High, who I might add writes very well.

E-mails and texting are not an accurate measurement of how this generation writes.

Us 'Old Folks" need to remember that.

[Unregistered]

You think the superintendent did not agonize over that letter? Obviously you have never been in a position of authority or you could not have been so dismissive of his attempt to deal with this atrocious issue. Do you wish you were responsible for dealing with this mess during the holidays? Can you turn off your computer and enjoy a social get-together? SHUT UP OR RUN FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE!!

As a parent of two Walpole High students I appreciated the letter from the school department, I found it to be very appropriate. This is not easy for anyone and I am very impressed with Mr. Lynch and Nancy Gallivan from the school comittee.

[Unregistered]

The news media is not going to stay away just because you don't want them to be there.

People around Massachusetts want to hear about it and it certainly is a newsworthy story... so you better believe they will cover it.

[Unregistered]

I will no longer support the gridiron boosters. There is too much emphasis on winning in this town, and I feel that contributed to the situation we are in.

I do not trust them anymore.

I will support the other sports in town when approached. When the day comes that there is an obvious change to unite us all behind them, then I will come back for support.