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BVA school board votes to look for new girls soccer coach

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BELLE VERNON – A group of students and parents pleaded with the Belle Vernon Area School Board Monday to retain the girls head soccer coach, but the board voted to move forward with a search for a replacement.

Tom Cameron, who led the Leopards to a 25-9-1 record the past two seasons and an appearance in the playoffs, lost his job last Monday. Board directors Michelle Callaway-Rodriquez, Kathy Forte, Joe Grata, Joel Whiteko and Gloria Yuschak voted to search for a new coach while Lou Rood and Daniel Sepesky voted against making the change. Aaron Bialon and John Nusser were absent from the meeting.

On Monday, Sepesky demanded an answer as to why Cameron was ousted as head coach.

“This is like déjà vu all over again,” said Sepesky, who alleges that Cameron’s removal was part of an “ongoing witch hunt” that included the resignation or firing of three BVA employees and former superintendent Dr. John Wilkinson. “If complaints were made, was there an improvement plan to ask Coach Tom to follow through? In life, people typically get a second chance.”

Solicitor Vic Kustra told Sepesky that the board was unable to discuss personnel issues in public.

“There could be legal ramifications if we talk about this here,” he said. “That could put the district at liability.”

Rood added, “I understand your frustration, but we are forced to follow the law and the rules.”

Sophomore Gianna Laurita, one of several BVA girls soccer players who spoke at the meeting, called Cameron a great coach and teacher.

“He taught us about soccer and the game of life,” said Laurita, who presented the board with petitions and letters in support of Cameron. “I can’t understand why anyone would want to replace a coach that led us so expertly.”

Laurita acknowledged that she heard there were some complaints about playing time, but added that 23 out of the 29 girls on the team lettered last season.

“That’s 80 percent of the team,” she said. “Compare that to any other team, and I doubt any of their rates will be as high.”

Also, during the meeting, the BVA Charitable Fund presented six grants totaling $9,860 that will enable students and teachers to carry out unique educational projects and programs. The grants represent the first of two rounds of an estimated $15,000 to be distributed during the 2018-19 academic year.

In other business, the board:

  • Gave its approval to the Pennsylvania School Board Association to assist the district in searching for a new superintendent. BVA will pay PSBA $5,000 for an executive search. Dr. Michele Dowell, who has served as interim superintendent since Wilkinson resigned last May, said she intends on applying for the position.
  • Approved a monthly retainer increase for Weiss, Burkhardt, Kramer, LLC, which serves as the district’s solicitor. The monthly retainer fee was increased from $250 per month to $500 per month. Rood said the increase was necessary because the solicitor often must cover extra district meetings.
  • Designated Christina Good as a school resource officer for the middle school and Marion Elementary Center. The district will be responsible for 50 percent of the costs for this position.

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