When the allegations were pointing at Ohio high school district boards, those fingers had to quickly turn the other direction from the Southeast Ohio organization.

Monday, April 23, 2001

When the allegations were pointing at Ohio high school district boards, those fingers had to quickly turn the other direction from the Southeast Ohio organization.

A recent news paper report by The Columbus Dispatch revealed possible illegal and unethical practices involving travel, cellphone use, meals, and other expenses by some of the association’s 36 district boards. But the Southeast Ohio board was given a clean bill of health.

Jim "Bear" Mains, who was on the district board for nearly 12 years and was secretary of the board for 19 years, said the report on the Southeast board didn’t surprise him. He said the board has quality individuals with a single goal in mind.

"They said the Southeast board was the one that followed the guidelines and did not do the things other districts were accused of. That made our people pretty happy," said Mains.

"Dan Brisker and Roger Thompson and Paul White and others have been honest, business-like men who look out for the welfare of the schools. I think that is reflected in the vote. I’ve been with this district for 30 years and it’s always been on the up-and-up."

A 12-member panel has been selected to recommend changes in the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s structure and financial practices. OHSAA commissioner Clair Muscaro announced the panel members after the association’s state board of control approved his recommendations.

"As members of the Southeast board for the past 25 years, business has been conducted by the regulations. The schools have always gotten the benefit of all the monies even though we’re one of the biggest district in terms of the number of schools and travel distance. All the men have one goal in mind and that is to benefit the member schools.

"What these other boards have been accused of is their responsibilities and they need to face the consequences if these allegations are true."

The president of the board of control, Barbara Harrison, has said she wants any reforms to be enacted before new state board members take their seats on Aug. 1.

The review panel includes representatives from education-related organizations, the state Department of Education, the state auditor’s office, the state House and school districts, as well as a parent of an athlete.