Folks in Saratoga Springs were publicly airing their comments about the investigation into alleged coaching abuses in the Saratoga Springs School District.

School Superintendent Michael Patton took questions from the media on Thursday afternoon, where he acknowledged past transgressions within the school district’s athletic program involving abusive coaching practices.

However, he also pointed out the report concluded “no unlawful activity” took place, and the district addressed complaints in a “timely manner.”

Several dozen former student athletes and their parents have said certain coaches in the district have used bullying tactics, in some cases dating back 35 years, that have created a toxic culture, and in some circumstances have injured athletes physically and emotionally.

Again, the report concludes that many coaches were spoken to by school district administration and some of those conversations lead to discipline including firing, or counseling.
Patton acknowledged there are still things the district could improve upon.

“It concludes basically that over the 35 years overall, we’ve done a really good job, but again, we’re not perfect,” said Patton. “There are things that we can continuously look to do to improve. “That’s working with our coaches, providing professional development support, and just holding people accountable for their actions.”

Martin Greenberg, the attorney whose letter to the district initiated the Harris Beach Law Firm investigation, released a statement on Thursday.

The statement reads in part: “This may be one of the worst cases of alleged abuse we will ever come across. The refusal of witnesses to talk shows the fear and retaliation and retribution, along with being possibly ostracized by their community, is real.”