EAST PROVIDENCE — A tenured East Providence School District teacher and long-time coach has been relieved of both positions pending the results of an investigation into his personal conduct.

Michael Solitro, a city resident, an instructor at Riverside Middle School and for the last decade the head girls’ basketball coach at East Providence High School, has been put on paid administrative leave for an undetermined length of time as a result of his arrest by East Providence Police on domestic violence charges in the early morning hours of March 5.

According to EPPD Chief Chris Parella, Mr. Solitro, 36 was taken into custody from his home on Leahy Street in the Rumford section of the city at approximately 12:25 a.m. Sunday morning. Responding officers found a woman at the scene holding ice to her head. What appeared to be a small amount of blood was also visible. It was determined the officers had "probable cause" to make the arrest.

East Providence superintendent of schools Kathryn Crowley and director of athletics Gregg Amore declined comment on what is a personnel matter, save for confirming Mr. Solitro’s status.

Earlier Saturday, March 4, Mr. Solitro had coached the EPHS girls’ basketball team in the Division II league championship playoff game at Rhode Island College. The Townies lost to unbeaten Johnston.

EPHS has also qualified for the upcoming girls’ basketball Open State Championship Tournament, which is scheduled to begin later this week, March 8. Mr. Amore confirmed Mr. Solitro will not be on the Townies’ bench.

Assistant coach Zachary Roche will lead the Townies in Mr. Solitro’s stead. He will be aided by assistant athletic director and EPHS softball coach Rob Traverse. Mr. Traverse has previously coached girls’ basketball at RMS and was the freshmen boys’ basketball coach at EPHS.