Herald staff
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The District 10 Committee passed a resolution on Wednesday regarding Sharon and Hermitage school districts’ mid-game melee that broke out during a 2011 football game.
The resolution will reduce the original 2-year probationary period by one year.
“Thank you for all your cooperation and professionalism,” Dr. Robert A. Lombardi, PIAA executive director wrote in an e-mail. “We sincerely appreciate your working together to handle this in everyone’s best interest.”
The release from the D-10 Committee’s meeting notes the following:
ä That there has been full cooperation by officials from both schools with the District 10 Committee with regard to the incident between Hickory and Sharon high schools at the Sept. 15, 2011 football game.
ä That both schools have fully complied to date with the mandates contained in the District 10 hearing decision letter of Oct, 6, 2011.
ä That each school has cooperated with each other in the effort to maintain a healthy rivalry between schools, minus the vitriol.
With regard to the points above the District 10 Committee publicly commends the following for their cooperation with the District 10 Committee, their efforts to comply with the mandates contained in the District 10 hearing decision letter of Oct. 6, 2011, and in reference to their cooperation with each other:
ä John Sarandrea, Superintendent, Sharon City School District.
ä Len Rich, Principal, Sharon High.
ä Paul Torr, Athletic Director, Sharon High.
ä Dan Bell, Superintendent, Hermitage School District.
ä W. Chris Gill, Principal, Hickory High.
ä Barbara Dzuricsko, Athletic Director, Hickory High.
It is herby resolved that the District 10 Committee reduce the probationary period for both programs, set to expire Dec. 31, 2013 to the respective conclusion, including playoffs, of the 2012 football season, and by doing so removes at that time all other sanctions and requirements as stated in the District 10 hearing decision letter of Oct. 6, 2011.
The District 10 Committee thanks the officials from both schools and recommends continued dialog and cooperation between schools.
Echoing Lombardi’s sentiments Rich e-mailed, “Thank you for this wonderful news. Both schools have been diligent, both schools have handled this unfortunate situation with class and humility, both schools would not tolerate a repeat of such behavior.
“On behalf of the Sharon City School District, I am thankful and appreciative of the decision of the district committee.”
Attempts by The Herald to reach both Bell and Sarandrea Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.
