DISTRICT 9 COMMITTEE MEETING
APRIL 3, 2002
The District 9 Committee held the April 3, 2002 meeting at Aiello`s Café in Ridgway, PA.
The following members were present: D.J Bevevino, Roger Collins, Gary Elder, Tony Flint, Terry Hoover, Jeff Jovenitti, Jerry Linsenbigler, Jim Manners, Frank Palaggo, Aaron Straub, Larry Stiner, Susan Valentine, Tom Wagner, and Bob Wicker.
Chairman Hoover called the meeting to order at 12:10.
A motion was made by Gary Elder and seconded by Tony Flint to accept the minutes of the March 13, 2002 meeting. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Jeff Jovenitti and seconded by D.J. Bevevino to accept the treasurers` report. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Gary Elder and seconded by Roger Collins to authorize the payment of bills. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A letter was received from Dr. Larry Henry, Superintendent at Karns City School District, voicing his concerns with the structure of the P.I.A.A. basketball playoff system and the number of private and parochial schools participating in the state tournament.
A letter was received from Mr. Stan Bem informing the District 9 Committee that the District 6 Committee voted to have Johnstown Vo-Tech High School reimburse Greensburg-Salem High School and Punxsutawney Area High School for the expenses the schools incurred as a result of Johnstown Vo-Tech High School not honoring a basketball contract. The contract was with Punsxutawney Area High School for Johnstown Vo-Tech High School to play two games in a Christmas Tournament. Greensburg-Salem High School is the team Johnstown Vo-Tech High School should have played the second night of the tournament.
A letter was received from Mr. William M. Connelly, Principal of Ridgway Area High School, informing the district committee of the steps Ridgway Area High School has taken to correct the inappropriate actions by a student athlete that caused the athlete to be disqualified form the District 9 wrestling tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.
A motion was made by Roger Collins and seconded by Susan Valentine thanking Mr. Connelly and Mr. Gerber for the action they took to correct the unsportsmanlike conduct of their athlete. Also the motion instructed the district chairman to write a letter to the principal of Ridgway Area High School reminding him of the responsibility of administrators to attend District 9 and P.I.A.A. post season events is to help maintain proper conduct of fans. The motion passed.
A letter was received form Mr. Gary Elder, Principal of Redbank Valley High School, informing the district committee of the steps Redbank Valley High School has taken to correct the inappropriate actions by a student athlete that caused the athlete to be disqualified from the District 9 wrestling tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Mr. Elder is a member of the district committee and dismissed himself from the meeting while the matter involving his school and student athlete was discussed.
A motion was made by Aaron Straub and seconded by Bob Wicker to accept and to thank Mr. Elder for the action taken to attempt to correct the unsportsmanlike action of his schools` athlete.
A letter was received from Mr. James Estep, Principal of Brookville Area High School, responding to the letter requesting him to outline the action taken by the Brookville Area High School to attempt to correct the unsportsmanlike actions of a Brookville athlete who was disqualified from the District 9 wrestling tournament.
At the advice of the school district`s solicitor, Mr. Esteps` response to the request was he is not permitted to share information concerning a student with the District 9 Committee.
A motion was made by D.J. Bevevino and seconded by Susan Valentine requesting Mr. Estep to be present at a hearing to be conducted on May 1, 2002, at 6:30 PM, at the DuBois Area School District`s Administrative Building. The purpose of the hearing is to explain the steps taken to correct the unsportsmanlike conduct of a Brookvillle Area High School athlete who was disqualified from the District 9 Wrestling Tournament. Also, Mr. Estep is asked to respond to the school district`s action taken against a Brookville fan who was removed from the Clarion University gym because of unacceptable behavior.
The hearing scheduled for March 26, 2002 has been rescheduled for April 9, 2002, at Johnsonburg Area High School, at 7:30 PM.
CHAIRMAN`S REPORT:
The P.I.A.A. is considering sponsoring a state team golf championship. There are a number of considerations before there will be a state championship event. Two examples: how many golfers will constitute a team and when will the championship tournament be held.
Two items the P.I.A.A. is addressing with the Oversight Council are parents` representation on the Board of Directors and the need for “in-house council.” An amendment to the P.I.A.A. constitution concerning parents on the Board of Directors is one of the amendments to be voted on today. The P.I.A.A. will be advertising for the position of part-time legal council at a salary of $24,000.00 per year.
Mr. Jeff Jovenitti will represent District 9 at the parents` advisory committee meeting to be held on April 7, 2002 at the P.I.A.A. headquarters.
Chairmen of the eleven districts of the P.I.A.A. are invited to attend the National Convention to be held in Boston. The P.I.A.A. will pay the base cost of attending the convention. Any additional expenses will be the responsibility of the chairmen. A motion was made by Tony Flint and seconded by Bob Wicker that District 9 pay the expenses of the District 9 Chairmen not reimbursed by the P.I.A.A. The motion carried.
Sample ballots containing the amendments to the P.I.A.A. Constitution were given to committee members to review.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BASKETBALL (JIM MANNERS, CHAIRMAN)
The financial report for the 2001-2002 tournament was presented. Letters were sent to District 9 schools seeking in-put for next year’s tournament. For next year, there will be a few changes in the format for the tournament program. The basketball committee will review running triple-header games.
WRESTLING (TERRY HOOVER, CHAIRMAN)
The results of the district tournament and the place winners from District 9 at the regional and the state tournaments were given to the committee.
CHEERLEADING (JEFF JOVENITTI, CHAIRMAN)
In the near future, Mr. Jovenitti will be meeting with cheerleading advisors from various District 9 schools. Some of the issues to be discussed include the length the cheerleading season, insurance, the number of classifications, registration of certified officials, jurisdiction, etc.
FINANCE COMMITTEE (BOB TONKIN, TREASURER)
At the next District 9 Committee meeting, the committee will recommend the direction to take concerning the investment of the $35,000.00 held in savings. The committee discussed the establishment of a merchandizing chairman. This person would be responsible for the sales of all T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and tournament programs. The committee reviewed the fees paid to tournament officials and will review the fees paid to game and site managers, travel expenses, and chairman’s` fees.
NEW BUSINESS:
Any changes or suggestions for the publication of the 2002 – 2003 District 9 Handbook should be sent to Aaron Straub at Elk County Catholic High School.
PRINCIPALS` MEETING:
Bob Tonkin reviewed the revenues and expenses of District 9 over the past eight years.
A motion was made by Redbank Valley High School and seconded by Karns City High School to nominate Terry Hoover as the junior high school representative to District 9 Committee. Since there were no other nominations, Dr. Hoover will serve as the junior high school representative for the next two years.
A motion was made by Union High School and seconded by Brockway Area High School to retain the present District 9 Committee member for the next year. The motion carried. The members of the District 9 Committee for the 2002 – 2003 school year are D.J. Bevevino, Roger Collins, Gary Elder, Tony Flint, Jerry Linsenbigler, James Manners, Larry Stiner, Aaron Straub, Susan Valentine, Tom Wagner, and Bob Wicker.
NOTES FROM CHAIRMAN HOOVER:
NOTES FROM BRAD CASHMAN:
RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING:
Following the principals` meeting the district committee held a short re-organizational meeting.
A motion was made by Frank Palaggo and seconded by Tony Flint to retain Terry Hoover as the District 9 Chairman. The motion carried.
A motion was made by D.J. Bevevino and seconded by Roger Collins to retain Larry Stiner as the District 9 Vice-Chairman. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert J. Tonkin,
District 9 Secretary