Officials seek new group to run Fitch Hall of Fame

AUSTINTOWN — School district officials will meet with a handful of people this week, hopeful that they can take over the Austintown Fitch Hall of Fame.

The school board elected to save the hall of fame after an investigation into the booster organization’s financial situation began a few months ago. The bank account for the group was below zero, leading the school district to contribute about $150 to access electronic statements for the police investigation.

No past members will be affiliated with the reboot.

“I don’t feel comfortable having any of them back,” board member Lou Chine said last week.

The only interaction that the school district has with booster organizations, such as the hall of fame, is to allow them to use the school’s name and logo. Boosters are supposed to apply for a 501(c)(3) status, meaning that they will be audited yearly.

“Unfortunately, the hall of fame never went and got their nonprofit” status, said Vincent Colaluca, Austintown schools superintendent. “They never had a process in place for getting an audit. That’s something that has to get done.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com