Published Tuesday, January 28, 2003
since assault on son
Herald Staff Writer
Parents in the West Middlesex Area School District want to know why a man who assaulted a student is spending time on school property and around basketball players.
The parents of Jacob Buzard -- the student assaulted by former assistant basketball coach Richard Holzworth -- claim that Holzworth has been in the gym and around the basketball team, despite the fact that they were guaranteed Holzworth would only be allowed on school property to watch sporting events involving his children or participate in things like parent-teacher conferences.
Holzworth pleaded guilty in May 2001 to disorderly conduct and agreed to pay Jacob's medical bills after he assaulted him during an informal game of basketball.
Board President Thomas Hubert confirmed Holzworth is only supposed to be in the school for activities involving his children, and that he's not supposed to be coaching or alone with the students.
Jerry and Diana Buzard told school directors Monday that Holzworth has been in the gym during practices, was once in the locker room taping ankles, and they believe he has a key to the gym.
Mrs. Buzard said her son told her Holzworth was also at a closed scrimmage game which other parents were told they couldn't attend.
"He hit my son in your school, in our school, and he's back," Buzard said.
One morning Holzworth was in the school shooting hoops before a basketball game.
"Can you please tell me how he got into the school that day?" Mrs. Buzard asked. "Where is there such negligence going on? I'm very, very upset."
"We have people that aren't doing their job, including us," Director Warden Burger said.
Director Connie David said the board was assured Holzworth was only allowed limited access to the school.
Holzworth did not attend the meeting.
The discussion of Holzworth started when parent Francis Picciotto said he was unhappy with a written response he received from the district after he questioned the athletic and basketball policies in November.
Picciotto didn't name any individuals but questioned if residents are allowed to use the school gym and if parents are allowed to attend practices.
Picciotto said the district has "demonstrated a total disregard for our children, disregard for school property, and people are aware of it." He appealed to the board to look into the policy.
Hubert asked board solicitor John Reed to send a letter to Holzworth's attorney to remind Holzworth of when he is allowed and not allowed to be on school property.
The board then went into a closed-door session with the Buzards and Picciotto and his wife Georgia because Reed said the discussion was getting into personnel issues.