PARENTS BACK CHESS COACH

By YOAV GONEN


December 6, 2007 -- In the end, they're choosing principle over their
principal.

Parents of 10 of 13 members of the renowned PS 70 Bronx chess team
have decided to forgo tomorrow's national championships in Houston
because the school's principal is barring their coach.

At an early-morning protest in front of the elementary school
yesterday, parents said the decision to keep their kids home was a
heartbreaker, but that longtime coach Jonathan Alejandro merited their
support.

"We only want to go if Mr. Alejandro goes," said 9-year-old Emely
Herasme.



wrote:
FROM THE NEW YORK POST

By YOAV GONEN

December 4, 2007 -- The Education Department is letting stand a Bronx
principal's decision to bar her chess team's coach from traveling to
this week's national championships in Houston.

PS 70 Principal Kerry Castellano has declined to say why she wants to
bar longtime coordinator Jonathan Alejandro.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Special Commissioner of
Investigations said Alejandro is the subject of an ongoing probe, but
refused to say when it started or what it involves. Alejandro blames
recent clashes with Castellano growing out of his role as union
chapter leader. "It's a disgrace. This is sick. They're trying to
sabotage me," he said. "She claims we have too many differences. What
does it have to do with chess?"

PS 70's team, known as the Bronx Bombers, was depicted in a 2005 TV
movie starring Ted Danson.