By Nick Mattera
Niagara Gazette
LEWISTON —
A special session of the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education convened solely in executive session Monday, offering little insight into the fate of a varsity soccer coach who falsely told opposing coaches and referees a player on his team suffered from the disease Tourette syndrome.
The meeting, which was described as an informational meeting for board members, was immediately called into executive session to “discuss the history of particular persons leading to their appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal,” which by law is a valid reason for a public board to meet behind closed doors. Board of Education members are unable to comment on information or issues which are discussed during an executive session.
Last week, the Gazette reported Lew-Port head varsity soccer coach Samuel Ricotta knowingly on a “handful” of occasions lied to referees and opponents regarding the medical condition of a player, which they said allowed him to play more aggressively, as well as use vulgar language without being penalized.
The player’s mother told a Gazette reporter her son does not suffer from the disease and was disturbed a coach would make such a claim.
Players also told the Gazette Ricotta would boast and make light of fooling referees and opponents following games in practices.
Follow an internal investigation by the district, in which opposing coaches, Lew-Port players and referees were interviewed to determine the extent of Ricotta’s action, school officials called for Monday’s special session. No action was taken at following the meeting, but it is expected the issue will be discussed in public tonight during a regular session of the Lew-Port Board of Education.
According to an agenda for today’s regular board meeting, the board will appoint a new varsity soccer coach.
Earlier this month, Ricotta resigned from his position as soccer coach, a decision he said was not connected to the Tourette claim.
The Lewiston-Porter School board meets at 6 p.m. in the district’s community resource center, 4061 Creek Rd. Youngstown.
