le School Department Tel: 401-568-1301 Fox: 401-568-4111 TTY: 800-745-8555 Voice: 800-748-6575 Office of Superintendent 2300 Broncos Highway Harrisville, RI 02830 October 25, 2019 Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members: ‘On September 24th the Burrillville girls’ volleyball team faced Central Falls at our gymnasium. At that game, several videos of our fans were recorded and shared on social media. In addition, claims were made that some of our fans were responsible for unsportsmanlike conduct including racial slurs and intimidating comments. The Administration completed a thorough investigation of these claims and reported their findings to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL). The Principals’ Committee on Athletics (PCOA) considered statements from our BHS administration, the CFHS. administration, and reports from students and game officials before making their decision. While some fans were found to have exhibited unsportsmanlike conduct, no evidence of racial slurs was uncovered. The PCOA imposed probation against Burrillvlle High School for the remainder of the 2019-2020 for sportsmanship due to fan behavior. The decision had nothing to do with racial comments or displays of patriotism as some have suggested. The Burrillville School Committee met during an Executive Session on October 10th to review all details in this matter and consider if an appeal to the PCOA's decision was warranted. Our committee found that the decision and subsequent penalty was consistent with the rules of the league and provided no basis for an appeal. A successful appeal typically requires submitting new evidence that had not previously been considered ‘The Burillville School Committee feels strongly that the rules of the RIIL should be reviewed to ensure clear expectations for sportsmanship for all schools. There is concern that the behavior of a few fans can negatively impact an entire school's athletic program. We will be sending a formal letter to the RIIL Executive Director requesting that the PCOA, review the rules on sportsmanship and provide clarity to each member school regarding the types of fan behaviors that are prohibited. Despite our disagreement with the Town Council on the issue of appeal based on the facts of this case, we fully support their concems about the irresponsible accusations that were leveled against our students, our school, and our town. These uninformed and inappropriate comments about Burrilvlle Schools, Burrillville students, and the town of, Burillvile are unfounded and outrageous! People responsible for escalating this narrative should be ashamed of themselves. We should all work together to try to set the record straight, ‘he Banta Seon Dopatran 086 a enna bes ee, 6 sen seraen mara ae eg, rater orgh Spc aisen diy ary fis ecsnna pans aa aces, ae narloart = ape To amore st eed Tk te Saar manasa Dae Ate ‘6 Guson he Ronan ett 1974 Ta Ua ta Gu Rigs Re! 185, ge Dornan ht Son arora ene lps dear Inqursegarangrncacanatin loa lb aes by Dre & Pup Peal Geta SPPS). 720) enc ghey Marae RICZD Taupe (1) S600, Ea ‘mdimtsonPaaesBbverne naurerray aeose na et Ofc fe Grd Rahs oasln Otc) US. buf Easater, fina 3 Poe Oren Shave, seh MAO {Et Toepore (017) E6111, Fax (17 209010, erat GOR BasinaNsay ye ere an scm ale a ekg poem sts a,c OPPS mo veBurrillville School Department Ofc of Superintendent fe et: arses 2a ren Highs : Fae ors owe we Fi Meets Marve RL O20 THY. ns.sss ‘Addressing the publie’s perception of our town and appealing the league's decision are two separate issues. These last few weeks have been diffcult for everyone in our community. We have all taken this very seriously because we care about doing what is right for our kids, our schools and our community. We ask for your continued support moving forward and thank you for your patience as we navigate these challenges. Let's continue to recognize our fantastic athletic programs, our outstanding student athletes, and their exceptional sportsmanship! GO BRONCOS! Sincerely Yours, On Behalf of the Buriliville School Committee, Mek Bairard Doniton len Mark Brizard, Chair Donison Allen, Vice Chair ‘The Bure Snel Deparant dos ol rane oh at age, er, sil nln art ttn ig, ron cle lel aati a ay iseaeaeral pepana arc ativan, andi elon sa apc empormon aa reared oy Tee oe aan here 2 es Aerts wi asthe A ‘00, Sacto st ote Reanitaton At 17, THe Vandi Gx Rage Akl, hg lconten A of TS onscne mow wd actors tarcostsoereeeen Ingures egg nnn olin lb ended Oreo ein! Pra Sece[OPPS) 700 frncos Higa Maral ORD Tepe HESS taeh eve ‘sansioieonnatoytadl om nto yao ba aca ret Det Ct Ras Geaen Os) US apt aan, Fa £ Pon fee Sq, Boson wa ae- 3821, Toapne 617288071, Fax E17) ZO rat Barangay My rent an soerrocon fo alondamanng er pogen ea eos, cal PPS tne