Rose Hill gets reprieve

Local News

Related Photos

Kevin Goldy

Discussion

November 16, 2009

By MIKE JAMES / The Independent The Daily Independent Mon Nov 16, 2009, 10:04 PM EST

LEXINGTON — Rose Hill Christian School went to Lexington on Monday expecting sanctions but left with a reprieve.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association gave Rose Hill until Nov. 30 to counter allegations of recruiting violations. The KHSAA Board of Controls will meet Dec. 7 and render a decision then.

Officials for the school underwent two and a half hours of intense grilling from the board, centering around an investigation into the allegations.

The board had been expected to hand down a penalty based on the investigation. However, school officials convinced the board that, among other things, they needed more time to organize and submit documents.

�It will give us more time to put them in better order,� said school administrator Sharon Parsons.

Since January of 2008 the KHSAA has been probing allegations that one player�s tuition had been paid � a violation of KHSAA bylaws.

During the hearing school officials -- including Parsons, principal Jerry Foster and former board member David Thompson � told the board the student, Michael Fuller, had received a scholarship through a fund set up in memory of David Garnes, a Rose Hill student basketball player who died in 2005, his sophomore year.

Fuller and Garnes were best friends and the Garnes family wanted Fuller to get the scholarship, said Don Frailie, an attorney who accompanied the Rose Hill officials. �As an act of compassion, you don�t turn that family down,� Frailie said.

Frailie disputed the investigation�s methodology and several members of the Rose Hill contingent said they had not been asked for information that later was deemed to be important.

The most recent request for documentation was made with a 48-hour deadline at a time when most of the school board was on a mission trip overseas, Parsons said.

Thompson said the investigation�s finding were �embellished� to make it seem worse.

Part of the problem, school officials said, is that the allegations centered on events that happened under previous administrators. Parsons is in just her second year at Rose Hill.

The board brushed off such contentions. �We�ve discovered that �everybody else� is responsible,� one board member said.

The board played a tape recording that, along with multiple other sources, �confirms the allegations,� one member said.

The board believes one voice on the tape is then-coach Tim Fraley confirming payment of tuition money for Fuller.

Rose Hill officials, however, contend there is no conclusive evidence to indicate who is speaking on the tape, or when. Frailie said an expert had told him the tape may have been doctored, but did not produce any evidence to support that contention.

�If we were out to recruit, we�d recruit someone who knows how to play ball,� Foster said.

The school has already taken steps to make sure no violations happen in the future, Parsons said. A compliance officer will monitor athletic programs and keep track of all documentation, she said.

The controversy may have affected enrollment. Last year Rose Hill averaged 340 students and this year the average is 284, Parsons said.

However, she attributes some or most of the loss to the economy.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2650.

Text Only

Local News

3 arrested after meth lab found
The Boyd County Sheriff’s Department arrested three after discovering a meth lab at a home in Rush on Saturday.

May 28, 2012
Going with the flow
The popularity of water trails is growing in eastern Kentucky as more and more communities embrace adventure tourism as a way to paddle their economies forward.

May 28, 2012
State artists will shine at MSU show
Jennifer Reis wants Kentucky artists to have a chance to win prizes chosen especially for them.

May 28, 2012
Central Park festivities: Musical salute honors veterans
Many, including city officials, gathered Monday to enjoy music and festivities during the Memorial Day Celebration in Ashland’s Central Park on Monday afternoon.

May 28, 2012
An event fit for an American
Hundreds decked out in red, white and blue lined the streets as marching bands, local officials and floats galore made their way through the streets of Ironton Monday morning during the 144th annual Memorial Day Parade.

May 28, 2012
3 arrested for running meth lab
The Boyd County Sheriff's Department arrested three people after discovering a meth lab at a home in Rush.

May 28, 2012
Crowd deals with sizzling weather in paying respects
Although the weather called for scorching heat, many showed up to pay their respects at the Memorial Day celebration in Wurtland on Sunday.

May 28, 2012
A salute to fallen veterans
For 25 years, Mike Wurts has made certain an American flag is at the final resting place of every military veteran at Golden Oaks and Rose Hill, providing a proper salute to welcome friends, families and others who come to pay their respects during the Memorial Day weekend.

May 28, 2012
Geocachers: Treasure is in the hunt
It’s a treasure hunt without any real treasure.
Geocachers will tell you that in their hobby, the hunt itself is the treasure.

May 28, 2012
Burglaries reported to police
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:

May 28, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Rose Hill gets reprieve

Site Map

Contact Us