Football coach reappointed in Peters
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In a split decision Tuesday night, the Peters Township school board voted to retain high school football head coach Rich Piccinini for a second season.
The 6-3 vote came over the objections of some residents and at least one school board member, who said they had concerns about the coach's reappointment.
"I spent yesterday and today talking to parents," said board member Sue Smith, who voted against Mr. Piccinini's reappointment, along with Bill Merrell and Sandra Gregg. "After all of the concerns I have heard, I will have to vote against retaining the coach."
Ms. Smith, who was not present but participated in the meeting via telephone, didn't elaborate about her concerns and there was no discussion among other board members in public. Moments before the vote, the board abruptly adjourned to a 20-minute executive session for a personnel discussion.
During public comments before the meeting, several people expressed concern about athletes with concussions, including resident Ron Boocks, who wondered if the district had a policy to identify concussion symptoms, saying it was a "serious problem."
Resident Lisa Anderson, a lawyer, said she was concerned about legal liability to the district and school board after receiving emails that questioned the safety of the district's football program.
She and other residents asked the board to investigate claims in the emails before reappointing Mr. Piccinini. He had been hired a year ago after serving as an assistant football coach in Upper St. Clair.
District Solicitor Jack Cambest said the board had discussed the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association rules governing players with concussions and said he expected the state to require districts to adopt specific guidelines regarding brain injuries in the near future.
Mr. Piccinini's team posted a 4-6 record last year. He replaced Nick Milchovich, who served as coach the previous four seasons.
First Published January 18, 2012 12:00 am
