Sharpsville considers apology for team cuts

Supporters said senior volleyball players were cut in favor of less experienced players.
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- School Director Charles Rice thinks the Sharpsville Area School District owes some sort of apology to three senior high school girls cut from the varsity volleyball team.
"Something has to be done. You can't treat kids this way," he said as he made a motion at Monday's school board meeting to send letters to the students recognizing that they were wronged.
School Director Burt DeVries seconded the motion, but the issue never came to a vote.
School Director Gerard Hanley and board President Terry Karsonovich suggested that any formal board action wait until the issue is thoroughly investigated and changes are made in regulations on how teams are selected.
There are only two weeks left in the season.
Captains released
Lora McCrillis, Robert Germano and Lynne Vadala spoke in behalf of the three girls at Monday's meeting, saying they were treated unfairly. The girls were starters and captains last year and were cut to make room for less experienced players, they said.
The adults also made reference to what they apparently believe is a "no cut" policy for students involved in extracurricular activities.
School Director Len Grandy said there is no official "no cut" policy in Sharpsville.
Further, all parents of the volleyball players signed a letter at the start of the season acknowledging that some cuts would be made.
They knew that up front, Grandy said, adding that no rules were broken by the coaching staff.
Still, he agreed that some change in the rules is needed but said the rules can't be changed in mid-season.
Karsonovich said the issue will be addressed once the season is over.
The board could vote on rules changes at its November meeting, he said.