DISTRICT 9 COMMITTEE MEETING
The District 9 Committee held a special meeting on May 1, 2002 at the DuBois Area School District’s Administrative Offices.
The following members were present: Roger Collins, Gary Elder, Tony Flint, Terry Hoover, 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 4:00 PM.
A motion was made by Tony Flint and seconded by Bob Wicker to accept the treasurer’s report. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Susan Valentine and seconded by Frank Palaggo to authorize the payment of bills. The motion carried.
The finance committee recommended that the District 9 Committee not pay dues for District 9 schools for the 2002 – 2003 school year. Some of the added expenses incurred by the committee this past year included: the loss of the revenue from two district football games, the cost of PIAA insurance for special events doubled, the cost of two special meetings, the cost of two hearings, the cost of a computer program for district and state track. Paying school dues for the 2002 – 2003 school year would cause the balance in the district’s checking account to fall below $5,000.00.
A motion was made by Tony Flint and seconded by Roger Collins not to pay District 9 members’ dues for the 2002 – 2003 school year. The motion carried.
At the April 2003 committee meeting, the District 9 committee will reconsider paying dues for the 2003 – 2004 school year and will consider reimbursing school’s mileage for participating in playoff contests.
A motion was made by Tom Wagner and seconded by Tony Flint to deny athletic eligibility to a Brookville Area High School student because the student was not currently living with a parent within the Brookville Area School District. The motion carried.
Committee members are reminded to up-date the 2001 – 2002 District 9 Handbook.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 and will re-convene at 6:30.
Chairman Hoover called the 6:30 meeting to order.
The District 9 Committee requested Brookville Area High School in order to appear to respond to the letter of April 12, 2002, concerning the disqualification of a wrestler at the 2001 – 2002 District 9 Wrestling Tournament, and the removal of a Brookville wrestling fan from the Clarion University gym during the tournament.
Testimony was provided by PIAA certified wrestling officials Roy Curley, Robert Colgan, Randy Evans, and Jim Maiuro who were four of the officials who officiated the tournament.
Jerry Linsenbigler, a District 9 Committee member, who witnessed the pushing of a Brookville Area High School wrestling coach by a Brookville fan, provided testimony.
The following provided testimony on behalf of the Brookville Area High School: Mr. James Estep, Principal; Mrs. Nancy Smoose, Athletic Director; Mr. Roland Reitz, Head Wrestling Coach; and Mr. Lloyd Shaffer, School Board President. Mr. Thomas Breth, Brookville Area School District solicitor, represented the district.
Also, testimony was presented by: Mr. Les Turner, Brookville fan; Mr. Gene Ferraro, Brookville fan; Ms Linda Kline, Brookville fan; Mr. Jeff Park, Brookville Area High School volunteer wrestling coach; and Mrs. Gina Heigel, Brookville parent.
Mr. Jerry Linsenbigler and Mr. Robert Tonkin did not deliberate following the hearing.
After deliberation the District 9 Committee reached the following decisions:
1. Brookville Area High School and its principal will receive a letter of censure from the District 9 Committee.
2. Brookville Area High School’s wrestling program will be suspended from all interscholastic athletic competition with PIAA member schools until a proactive/corrective action plan has been presented to the Committee and approved by the Committee at the August 2002 meeting. Said plan shall address how sportsmanship will be promoted and improved within the school’s athletic programs and among athletes, coaches, and fans. If the action plan meets with the Committee approval, the suspension, which would be for the 2002 – 2003 season, will be reduced to one year’s probation. This is for the wrestling program only.
3. During the year’s probation, if that ultimately occurs, Brookville Area High School must have either the superintendent, high school principal, high school assistant principal, or athletic director at all, home and away, wrestling competitions. That designated school official shall make himself/herself visible, and known to the opposing teams, coaches and officials.
4. Mr. Les Turner shall be prohibited from attending any District 9 wrestling championship tournaments in the 2002 – 2003, the period of suspension or probation. Pursuant to Article XII, Section 9, the school shall impose this penalty upon its fan. The responsibility for notification falls upon the school.
5. Brookville Area High School shall use its authority and may take further disciplinary action against Mr. Les Turner as allowed by PIAA By-Laws, Article XII, Section 9.
Following the deliberation the committee re-convened to discuss the following items: the extension of the contracts for the executive staff of the PIAA, the 2002 – 2003 PIAA budget, and the location of future state championship football games.
The next District 9 Committee will be on June 26, 2002 at Aiello’s Café in Ridgway at 9:00 AM.
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert J. Tonkin,
District 9 Secretary