By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – A group of parents and players who have taken issue with some of the actions of East St. John High School girls basketball coach Jackson Manuel showed up at Thursday’s St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting to make their displeasure known.

The incident that sparked the showing happened earlier in the week when a player was left in the parking lot of a shopping center while the team was on its way to a game in Hahnville.

Although the player’s mother said there may have been a misunderstanding about whether she was on her way to pick up her daughter, she placed the blame squarely on the coach.

The group showed up at the meeting at the urging of board member Albert Burl III, and while the issue was not addressed formally as part of the proceedings, Superintendent Courtney Millet spoke with them afterward.

These allegations are not the first complaints brought against Manuel. According to Millet, last month an accusation of an untoward comment directed at his players forced the school district to conduct an investigation. On Jan. 26, formal disciplinary action was taken, said Millet.

Millet said following the disciplinary action Manuel was allowed to resume his coaching duties with the team. She also said until Thursday the January complaint was the only one regarding the coach that has come to her.

Manuel has faced the difficult task of taking over coaching duties for the much-beloved coach Troy Giordano, who died in an automobile accident last year.

“I think that’s been difficult for everybody,” said Millet.

Manuel could not be reached for comment.