DISTRICT 9 COMMITTEE
APRIL 9, 2002
A special meeting of the District 9 Committee was held on April 9, 2002 at Johnsonburg Area High School.
The following members were present: Roger Collins, Gary Elder, Terry Hoover, Jeff Jovrnitti, Jerry Linsenbigler, Jim Manners, Frank Palaggo, Aaron Straub, Susan Valentine, and Tom Wagner.
Chairman Hoover called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
The minutes and treasurer’s report of the April 3,2002 meeting will be presented at the special meeting on May 1, 2002.
A special District 9 Committee meeting and hearing will be held on May 1, 2002, at 5:30 PM, at the Dubois Area School District Administrative Building.
A motion was made by Jim Manners and seconded by Susan Valentine to hire a stenographer to record testimony at the May 1, 2002 hearing. The motion carried.
The District Committee will decide to pay or not to pay the 2002 – 2003 P.I.A.A. dues for District 9 schools at the May 1, 2002 meeting.
The committee discussed the location of the 2002 and 2003 P.I.A.A. state championship football games. The two locations in the running to host the games are Altoona and Hershey.
Austin Area High School – Smethport Area High School Hearing:
The District 9 Committee felt it was necessary to conduct a hearing to hear and review the circumstances surrounding the incidents involving coaches, players, fans, and the referees during and after a basketball game between Austin Area High School and Smethport Area High School played in Austin on February 8, 2002.
Representing Austin Area High School were Mr. Matt Hutchinson, Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Dale Miller, Athletic Director, and Mr. Christian Matti, School District Solicitor.
Representing Smethport Area High School were Mr. Warren Semmel, High School Principal, Mr. Carl Defilippi, Athletic Director, and Mr. Christian Matti, School District Solicitor.
Mr. David Brown, a P.I.A.A. registered basketball official, representatives of Austin Area High School and Smethport Area High School gave testimony.
Austin Area High School Hearing:
The District 9 Committee felt it was necessary to hear and review a post-game incident at a basketball game between Austin Area High School and Oswayo Valley High School played at Austin on February 14, 2002.
Representing Austin Area High School were Mr. Matt Hutchinson, Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Dale Miller, Athletic Director, and Mr. Christian Matti, School District Solicitor.
Mr. James Evans, a P.I.A.A. registered basketball official, and representatives of Austin Area High School gave testimony.
The district committee deliberated both cases.
A motion was made by Gary Elder and seconded by Jeff Jovenitti to place the Smethport Area High School boys` basketball program on probation for a one-year period. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Jeff Jovenitti and seconded by Susan Valentine to place the Austin Area High School boys` basketball program on probation for a one-year period. Austin Area High School will file with the District 9 Committee, prior to the start of the boys` basketball season, an initial list of those actions which the school administration has and will take to prevent such incidents from happening within the boys` basketball program in future years. Also, to be filed with the District 9 Committee is a final evaluation report of this plan. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Gary Elder and seconded by Jerry Linsenbigler to adjourn. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert J. Tonkin,
District 9 Secretary