OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — The Oil City School Board is scheduled to again grapple with the decision of hiring an interim wrestling coach for its program on Monday night, November 23.
Previous head coach Mike Croker was forced to limit his role this year due to health reasons.
In an earlier meeting, the school board failed to approve a list of coaches for the year, and even though a majority of the members present voted to accept the coaching recommendations and there was quorum present at the meeting, the board’s rules require a majority number of the entire board approve such a position.
The 4-2 vote included Fred Weaver and Joseph McFadden voting against hiring and Karen Woods, Mark Kerr, Shari Neely, and Angela Scalise voted for the motion. Directors Jessica Deets-Snyder, Nick Skokowksi, and Joseph Womer, Jr. were absent.
Without a hired coach, it was feared last week that practices could not take place. Superintendent Pat Gavin reported that the Board Solicitor said volunteers did not have to be approved by the Board and could supervise practices. Gavin also verified that the volunteer coaches had all the required government clearances and education, such as concussion training.
According to an email mailing by Oil City Wrestling on November 16, 2015, and obtained by exploreVenango.com, Croker submitted a list of coaches for approval to the school board prior to October 15.
“EVERYONE of these coaches obtained the 5 clearances that are needed to coach in Pa.,” states the memo. “The majority of these coaches have been involved in the wrestling program for several years and have been approved in the past. The ones in bold have coached previous years and have been board approved in the past.”
Names included:
Kevin Ochalek- interim head coach
Trent Zdarko- varsity assistant
John Beach- Junior High
Cody Johnson- Junior High
Mike Rossey- Elementary
Ryan Murray- Elementary
Luke McFetridge- Elementary
Eric Johnson- Volunteer
Mike Crocker- Volunteer
Kody Duncan- Volunteer
