PENN HILLS, Pa. — Penn Hills Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hines gave no further comment following her decision to cancel all spring matchups with Kiski Area School District.
Hines’ decision came following a recent incident that occurred during a middle school volleyball game.
On March 2, the Kiski Area girls’ junior varsity volleyball team hosted Penn Hills. However, the supposedly friendly match ended as described in a letter from Hines.
She stated that “several boys” in the Kiski Area student section were “making monkey noises” and saying derogatory things to the girls’ team.
As result, the district opted to cancel their scheduled games for the spring season, impacting five baseball and softball games.
Kiski Area superintendent Dr. Misty Slacvic said she was surprised by the move.
Slavic said the Kisi Area District has and is conducting what she called an “intensive investigation,” and to date has found no evidence to support the claim made by Penn Hills School District.
Slavic shared the following in a statement:
“The Kiski Area School District is surprised and saddened by the Penn Hills superintendent’s decision to cancel the remaining games of the spring sports season, especially since the investigation is ongoing. Kiski Area School District takes all accusations made against the district seriously. The allegations against our spectators at a recent middle school volleyball game are under active investigation. At this time, we cannot confirm that the reported incident occurred. However, we will continue to review all statements and evidence as they become available and work collaboratively with the Penn Hills administration to resolve the conflict.”
A Kiski district coach who was at the game is supporting his students, and said he did not hear any racial remarks or noises.
“I’m a minority, and I have been a victim of people saying stuff to me before so obviously, if something like that would have happened, I would have had an ear for it, I would think,” said Kiski basketball coach Nick Dizon.
Kiski parent and school board member Jessica Johns said she also did not hear any remarks during the game. Her daughter plays for the seventh-grade team and was sitting in the stands.
“The kids were playing back and forth, and there wasn’t a stoppage of play or anybody looking up into the stands that caught my attention,” Johns.
But Johns added that if remarks were made, she is hopeful that both districts can resolve the matter and ensure that students are safe and happy.
While Penn Hills parents had mixed feelings, some in full support of the district’s decision took to Facebook and wrote:
“One thing about racism is if we do not stand together, nothing will change,” wrote a parent, while another pushed for “emotional wellness for these kids.”
Others thought the punishment should impact only the Kiski students involved. One parent wrote, “Cutting out an entire school district seems a bit drastic,” while another posted, “Why is the Baseball team getting punished?”
Channel 11 spoke with WPIAL officials, who shared they are still waiting to hear from the Penn Hills School District about the situation.
Officials said they will determine the next steps from there; but according to current rules, those games missed will be considered forfeits.
This browser does not support the video element.