Published Wednesday, March 26, 1997
The primary contention, according to the letter, is that for years the PIAA has allowed private and parochial schools to compete against public schools on what some observers feel is an uneven playing field. Since, according to the letter, the PIAA hasn't addressed the issue, some MCAC schools believe the only viable solution would be to reorganize the league without GJR and Kennedy.
``We'll have an official comment at some future time, but we're not commenting on it now.'' said Kennedy Christian Headmaster Pete Iacino, also the area's representative on the District 10 Committee. ``There will be no comment until, at the earliest, after the (MCAC) principals' meeting on April 3.''
Stufft reported that a pair of superintendents, whom he wouldn't identify, were in support of the proposal. Phone discussions, however, on Tuesday with area superintendents from Hermitage, Grove City, Reynolds and Mercer found none to be in favor of the proposal.
``Our school district would not support changing the league,'' said Dr. Robert M. Post, who as Grove City superintendent also oversees George Junior. ``We like the league the way it is. We like to play teams that are good competition to us.''
``Obviously we're concerned about an uneven playing field, but I'd hate to see the decision made at this level. I think the PIAA maybe needs to address the level playing field issue.''
Which is something Stufft concurred with.
``If it is a concern across the state, then the PIAA should look at it,'' Stufft said. ``If that's not going to happen, then it's up to the individual leagues to address it.''
``There's also relationships,'' added Connelly. ``We have a good one with Kennedy and we could have one with George Junior. And that's important. We're all in this together. Maybe there are some solutions that could be better, but it's frustrating because the PIAA does turn a deaf ear to the issue.''
A PIAA executive, however, did indicate Tuesday that his organization would address the private vs. public school issue should it be brought before the PIAA Board of Control through proper channels.
``If member schools feel something needs to be done differently, then they know the process to go through it,'' said Elliot Hopkins, assistant executive director of the PIAA. ``Each school is represented by a district committee and can designate the district chairman to put something on the agenda. And he or she has the responsibility to do that. If they put it on the agenda, it would be discussed by the entire board.''
Hopkins, however, added that from the PIAA's perspective, it doesn't believe these types of complaints are that widespread.
``It's not been brought to the attention of the Board of Control, although maybe a couple of disgruntled athletic directors have made comments,'' Hopkins said. ``Overall, our public member schools do very well against the private schools. Witness this past basketball championships. The games were very competitive.''
Superintendents from Hermitage and Reynolds also had concerns about the proposal because reports from their principals and athletic directors indicated the issue had not been discussed openly at any meetings, although the letter does state that Pollus ``was acting on behalf of several other principals.''
``The main contention is after conferring with my high school building principal, Dr. Kathy Nogay, and athletic director Mike Bavola, they are telling me that there was never any mention of that at any previous meetings,'' Hermitage Superintendent Dr. Lou Mastrian said. ``At this point Hermitage would not be in favor of a new league.''
``I asked our principal if he had any discussions at the MCAC meeting and he said he had not and didn't recall it being brought up at any meeting,'' said Reynolds Superintendent Max Stokes. ``But we are in receipt of a copy of the letter. It's been discussed with my board and we would not be in favor of a reorganization that would exclude anyone.''
Stufft, however, believes the principals should, perhaps, bring the issue in front of the PIAA Board of Control.
``I think if the principals are concerned, that would probably be the appropriate step,'' Stufft said. ``I think it's always better to use existing procedures and processes if they're available. I personally don't know if the issue has been raised at the District 10 level. Maybe it has, maybe it hasn't. Certainly it would be an area to start.''
On the other hand, Stufft said this is ``not a new argument and it is not just peculiar to this area of the state. It has come up in other areas in the state from time-to-time. But if this area wants to deal with it, then address it; if not, then don't bring it up.''
``I don't know if there are any simple answers,'' Stokes said. ``All kids deserve to compete against one another, whether they're in court-ajudicated or private schools. How they get there or how they stay there is maybe what needs to be looked at (by the PIAA).''
``I encourage open discussion,'' Post concluded. ``I think the principals in the end are going to have to vote for whatever their conscience tells them what is the right thing to do. And we will support the decision of the majority of the principals.''
RELATED COLUMN
Updated March 26, 1997.
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