Sewickley Herald

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Serving Aleppo, Bell Acres, Edgeworth, Glenfield, Haysville, Leet Leetsdale, Osborne, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills
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Friendship House closes on Friday, but one friend the folks who lived there wilt never forget is Mary Sanford, who served for 36 years. See Page 11.


Sperts
B QV freshman Justin Shegog scored 28 points as the Quakers rallied from behind to defeat Shenango in the WPIAL playoffs.
Page 17
News
9 Quaker Valley held a public meeting so residents could near first-hand the plans for the district's transportation study.
Page 2
Lifestyles
B Japanese exchange-student Aya Iketani has been learning the American way since taking up residence in Sewickley in August.
Page 13
7-SCHOOLJ?l$Tfil0
Johns issues apology at meeting
District takes steps to avoid similar incidents in future
By (M Curll
-	________awl Been Kline__________
In the wake of racial remarks made by former Quaker Valley teacher Ken Johns, the school district is taking steps mend fences.
And so is Johns.
Johns contacted the Herald just prior to deadline and said he preferred to bold his comments for last night’s school board meeting, when he issued a public apology. (Johns’ comments can be found on the Herald’s world wide web site at ghplus.com.)
Johns resigned from his position as head track and field coach at a school district disciplinary hearing on Feb. 18.
The sequence of events began more than two weeks ago when Johns made a comment concerning the Ku Klux Man to a black female track and field athlete. Her name has not been released.
The girl told her parents about the incident, and her parents went to district officials the next day.
After several meetings between the family and Quaker Valley administrators, solicitor Patrick Clair recommended a disciplinary hearing.
In a prepared statement, Dr. R.
Ken Johns
Gerard Longo, district superintendent, said: “I deeply regret this incident and the district accepts the responsibility to correct it.
“Our first responsibility will be to work with the student involved to assure that student’s comfort and continued success at Quaker Valley High School.”
The district immediately set plans in motion to guard against future racial incidents.
Quaker Valley is assembling a team comprised of Longo, school board members, district principals and community
minority leaders. The group’s aim will be to raise awareness of racial sensitivi- ’ ty.
Representatives from the University of Pittsburgh who specialize in the formation and function of focus groups have agreed to facilitate meetings of this yet-to-be-named task force.
Mary Fazio, district communications coordinator, said QV has used members of this organization in the past to help operate other groups.
Longo also hopes to include representatives of the North Hills branch of the NAACP at these meetings.
“(We must) create an environment at Quaker Valley that insures that this kind of insensitive and thoughtless behavior does not befall any child ever again,” said Longo in his statement. “We cannot assume that just because we are good people that we always do the right thing.”
The community's reaction to the incident has been, in general, one of disbelief.
Jonathan Showe, Sewickley Borough Council’s newly appointed president, was surprised at the remarks attributed to Johns.
“I've known Ken for quite some time and I think he’s a fine guy,” said Showe.
“It seems to me the remarks attributed to him are out of character.
“My assumption is he made a careless comment."
Johns aimed to clear up any of those assumptions last night.
Maleet Gordon hired as new borough secretary
ly Amy Htnhbwgw __________Staff writor________
Osborne Borough Council accepted Sewickley Borough’s contract for shared secretarial services and appointed Maleet Gordon as the new borough secretary.
The matter was studied for months, and questions were raised as to whether the position should have been put out for public kidding.
Richard Tucker, sitting in as solicitor for Bob McTieman, said it did not. Osborne solicitor Harlan Stone agreed.
V OSBORNE
“We are trying to avoid difficulties. It’s a simple procedure and we want to make the residents of both boroughs happy with the arrangement,” said John Hayes, chair of finance. “We are happy for the opportunity to share.
“It’s a positive step and an excellent way to provide services for Osborne while still keeping a separate identity.” William Boswell, president of Osborne Borough Council said: “Osborne has the same
deal for fire and police services; shared secretarial services also is a good step.
“Hiring a secretary is an issue of who, prices and chemistry."
The appointment came after the resignation of Osborne’s former secretary Mary Lou Sullivan, who served the borough more than 17.
Her decision to resign was effective at the beginning of the year and since then, Osborne looked into many avenues before opting on shared services with another municipality.
A meeting with Mrs, Sullivan, acting as secretary until the void was filled, and Ms. Gordon produced a favorable outcome as Osborne’s needs were filled at the “right price.”
Over the past few weeks, files and equipment were taken to an office in Sewickley Borough Building.
Osborne Borough Council members were hopeful, that more will be transferred as early as this week for Ms, Gordon to handle any resident questions or concerns.
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