Former Shamokin Area School District head of security accuses board of cover-up

COAL TOWNSHIP - The former head of security at Shamokin Area School District accused the board of having a personal vendetta and attempting to cover up an incident earlier this year.

Charles Shuey's accusations were inspired by Michael Shevitski, who addressed the board Tuesday night about a Feb. 23 incident that involved his son.

According to Shevitski, his son was assaulted by another student near the entrance to the middle-high school while waiting for the bus. His son suffered a broken leg and a crushed ankle. Despite months of recovery time, the teen still a noticeable limp, he said.

The district's insurance company, according to Shevitski, denied coverage, saying, "because this was an altercation, the school district assumes no liability."

"The insurance company is saying you're not responsible," said Shevitski, visibly angry, to the board. "Who is responsible for my son when he gets to school?"

"Obviously the district it responsible for your kid, but the insurance company tries to see if there was negligence," said Superintendent James Zack. "They make the determination, and if you don't feel that's right, you can appeal that."

Shevitski questioned the board for nearly 15 minutes, explaining that he had talked to several witnesses and that they were never contacted by the insurance company. He said it leaves him to wonder if there was even an investigation.

Furthermore, he said, security at the school had been reduced less than a year earlier. In 2008, the district cut the number of security officers in half despite more than 60 people protesting the decision.

In a letter to The News-Item regarding the situation with his son, Shevitski said, "Because the school board majority, in its infinite wisdom, decided to eliminate most of the security, there was no one on duty to prevent my son from being attacked."

Solicitor James Zurick assured Shevitski the district would help him appeal the company's decision.

"Let it happen to one of your kids and see what you do. I'm sure you'd be different, too," Shevitski said.

After sitting down, he said, "I still didn't get an answer, really."

Also in the letter, Shevitski wrote, "I want the parents of all Shamokin Area School District students to be aware of our plight. Do not assume your children are safe when they are in school. Do not assume that in the event of an incident, your concerns will be addressed. Instead, get involved. Demand concern and accountability from district officials and school board. After all, they work for you."

'Tell the truth'

After Shevitski returned his seat, Shuey approached the board.

"I think what you should do is tell Mr. Shevitski the truth," said Shuey, who resigned as head security officer in 2007 after nine years of employment, citing unfair treatment of his workers. He has been critical of the board since then, especially when the school board reduced the district security last year from 12 to six employees.

"The reason this happened is because of lack of supervision at the bus stop brought on by lack of security because the majority faction on this school board saw fit to do away with security," he said.

Shuey went on to say that he warned the board last year that this was going to happen.

"It was inevitable," he said.

Director Daniel Venn interrupted him, saying, "I don't care if there are 10 people standing there. If somebody wants to do something like that, it's going to happen."

"You did this out of a personal vendetta," started Shuey, but Venn interrupted him again. For a moment, they spoke at the same time.

"There was no other school district in this area that had 12 security people," said Venn. "We were spending a quarter-million dollars."

Middle/high school Principal Chris Venna said teachers as well as security personnel are on bus duty after school as well, explaining that he didn't want the misconception that nobody was watching the students.

In fact, Venna said, discipline referrals have dropped rather increased since the reduction of security officers.

According to previous reports in The News-Item from Venna, from April 2008 to April 2009, all discipline referrals dropped 15 percent. Misbehavior in the cafeteria dropped 50 percent. The number of students late to class dropped 40 percent. The number of incidents requiring school discipline officer Christopher Lapotsky's attention have dropped 15 percent. The number of arrests he has made has dropped 48 percent.

"As far as fewer incidents, I'm willing to bet they've been swept under the rug," was Shuey's response.

Other business

- The annual reorganization meeting for the board of directors will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Northumberland County Area Career and Technical Center.

- An executive session was held for personnel issues from 6 to 7:20 p.m. prior to the meeting.

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