Photo by Jason Emerson.
Skaneateles — The formal investigation into allegations of illegal recruitment and false residency of players on the Skaneateles High School football team is “technically over” and the final report is expected to be sent to Section III Athletics — and made public — in 48 to 72 hours, the Skaneateles Board of Education announced at its Oct. 4 meeting.
“We previously said we knew this whole topic was divisive and was starting to fracture the community, and we pushed very hard to close this as quickly as we could,” said Evan Dreyfuss, school board president.
For the second time, the school board meeting room was packed with parents, students, athletes, teachers, boosters and coaches, all eager to voice their opinions, ask questions and hear an update on the status of the investigation.
The allegations, which surfaced at the end of the 2010-11 school year, are that certain football players were illegally recruited by Coach Tim Green, and that certain student athletes also were attending the school without being district residents. The district was contacted in writing by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and by Section III, as well as by numerous other school districts, parents and Skaneateles residents with complaints.
The district hired local law firm Milford, Lynch and Shannon to investigate both issues.
Dreyfuss repeated what he said at the previous meeting, that the school board acted on the accusations based on a variety of sources that were “serious in nature,” and were “not rumor-based but fact-based.”
Superintendent Phil D’Angelo said more than once that the district “did not go looking for this” investigation but the district is required to self-report and do due diligence on such accusations. By not acting, the district could face sanctions by Section III.
He also said that 63 people have contacted the school’s attorney and special counsel with specific allegations of wrongdoing, and added that just that morning he received a call from Section III Executive Director John Rathbun conveying another complaint.
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Comments
ashamedresident 1 year, 7 months ago
We all have learned you only believe half of what the Media posts, but this you can't believe any! Those children were very quiet and well behaved! Only 1 football player spoke stating that there was no malace ever towards any athlete. As for the original matter, lets focus on only that......Not bring in complaints not related to the original content. Ofcourse there will be people complaining on football, because they are Soccer lovers. However we can't act upon every verbal complaint. Otherwise, our school is in big trouble!! We have all heard bad character actions about teachers, vice principals, school boards, polititions, and even "All the Coaches". I and my children have for years have been exposed to sports politics, and favortism. Marcellus fessed up to their problem, dealt with it and was ended in 4 days. This issue is never ending. We the residents want the truth "not Rumors", and no blatent lies! The Greens have done a hell of alot for our community, I'm sure other schools would open their arms for the chance to have them help! Congrats football team league champs, first time in how many years. Trying to keep the sprit!!!!
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