District Won’t Reinstate Weil as Coach at Hart

NEWHALL — The William S. Hart School District has declined Al Weil’s request to be reinstated as Hart High softball coach, according to a letter issued Friday by Superintendent Robert C. Lee.

The letter, addressed to Weil, stated “there was no action to rescind the earlier acceptance of your resignation.”

Weil resigned in July under what he alleged was undue pressure from the school board stemming from allegations he violated district policy.

Board members are prevented from commenting publicly about the issue because it is a personnel matter.

“The board listened carefully to all presenters and deliberated among themselves afterward,” Lee stated in his letter to Weil. “As was the case last spring with the players who requested reinstatement to the softball team, the board determined that the coach’s decision, or in this case the administration’s decision, should stand.”

Parents of two Hart softball players complained last spring that Weil cut their daughters from the team for personal reasons.

Another allegation surfaced that Weil prevented a player from receiving a scholarship by giving a college coach poor performance reviews.

More than 100 Weil supporters gathered at the school district offices in Newhall on Sept. 9 to voice their opinion and call for Weil’s reinstatement.

Bob Mazza, a spokesman for Weil, said the former coach has been invited to be a member of the search committee for his replacement.

Attempts to reach Weil were unsuccessful.