Parents sue Genoa schools over girls' coach

4/1/2005

Parents of a Genoa student-athlete have filed suit against the Genoa Area Local Board of Education because of the alleged illegal activities allowed to take place by a high school girls' basketball and softball coach.

The lawsuit, filed last week by Kristina and Gary Nissen of Curtice, Ohio, on behalf of their daughter, Genoa High junior Jill Nissen, alleges that Coach Thomas Kontak "verbally abuses student athletes, discriminates against student athletes ... who questioned Coach Kontak's coaching decisions, and violates [Ohio High School Athletic Association] rules and school rules."

The suit seeks a temporary restraining order prohibiting Mr. Kontak from coaching the softball team. The district's law firm declined to comment.