News

November 10, 2009

Coach allegedly urged urination

Dallas School Board member claims probe revealed Jackson had players go on tennis court.

REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com

DALLAS TWP. - Dallas School Board member Maureen Matiska alleged Monday that an internal district investigation revealed that head football Coach Ted Jackson told several players to urinate on a tennis court at Tunkhannock Area during a football game on Sept. 18.

Several attempts to reach Jackson on Monday evening were unsuccessful.

Matiska made the claim Monday evening when questioning a $1,353 attorney’s fee from September. After Grant Palfey, the district’s business manager, informed her it was regarding the football players’ alleged urination incident, Matiska questioned whether the district should have to pay the bills related to the incident.

“After reviewing our own investigation into it, are we gonna suck this whole bill up or are we going to ask someone to contribute?” Matiska said. “According to our investigation, it was the coach who told the kids to do this.”

Superintendent Frank Galicki would not confirm Matiska’s claim that Jackson told the football players to urinate on the tennis court. Galicki said Attorney John Dean is representing the district and is meeting with the Wyoming County district attorney to make an offer for a resolution.

Jackson has come under scrutiny in the past for his behavior on the football field.

The school board voted 5-4 at a crowded meeting in April to rehire Jackson for the current season. Board members Dennis Gochoel, Dr. Bruce Goeringer, Russ Bigus, Catherine Wega and Gary Mathers voted in favor of Jackson’s return. Dick Orlowski, Maureen Matiska, Richard Coslett and board President Karen Kyle voted against it.

The Dallas football team is scheduled to play North Pocono in the District 2 Class 3A semifinals at 1 p.m. on Saturday at home.

In a separate matter, the board approved the creation of the Dallas Foundation for Excellence in Education as a non-profit corporation.

Galicki said in October that liquidation of materials and equipment at the old Dallas Township High School and the eventual sale of bricks and memorabilia from the current district high school could support the foundation. Funds will be used to benefit students and purchase school supplies such as laptops and promethium boards.

In yet another matter, the board honored Dallas High School students of the quarter for the first marking period of the school year. The students recognized are Steven Gulotta, grade 12, creative student; Andrew Santora, grade 10, citizen student; Hilary Grube, grade 12, school spirit student; and Ali Smith, grade 12, student achiever.

Dick Orlowski was also honored by the board for four years of service as a member. Charlie Preece was elected to fill Orlowski’s seat. Preece, a former teacher in the Dallas School District, will begin his four-year term on the board in December.

In addition, the board honored military veterans in the district with a certificate including teachers Mark Adams and Amy Pavia, and school board members Richard Coslett, Gary Mathers, Dick Orlowski, Dennis Gochoel and solicitor Ben Jones.

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