WPIAL officials to issue findings report on Penn Hills’ complaints over Connellsville’s armed security guard

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 15, 2018 | 8:09 PM

The Penn Hills and Connellsville administrations will receive a report Tuesday from the WPIAL, which looked into complaints that Connellsville’s use of armed security was “culturally insensitive.”

The WPIAL board discussed the issue Monday during an executive session at its monthly meeting in Green Tree. The board’s findings will be shared first with the two school districts and then publicly on Wednesday, WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley said.

“We’re going to summarize the information gathered and share the board’s response,” O’Malley said.

Penn Hills superintendent Nancy Hines had objected to Connellsville’s use of armed security at volleyball and soccer contests on Penn Hills’ campus, reigniting conflict between the schools last week. Hines called the armed guards “culturally insensitive” and asked the WPIAL to intervene.

Connellsville superintendent Joseph Bradley said using school officers on road trips was standard procedure. He said the district has long used school personnel at “appropriate away events” and welcomed the WPIAL to examine the district’s policy.

Tensions between the districts started Sept. 6 when Penn Hills accused Connellsville of targeting boys soccer players with racial slurs. The schools temporarily postponed all head-to-head competition until the WPIAL investigated.

After a lengthy hearing Sept. 24, the WPIAL concluded it was “likely that at least some racial slurs or racially insensitive comments were directed to a Penn Hills player or players,” but the WPIAL said it couldn’t corroborate the allegations with certainty.

Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.

Tags: Connellsville, Penn Hills