Tyrone Area School Board officials were informed of a “bullying” incident involving the district’s majorette program at their Nov. 8 meeting.
Concerns were expressed by two people during the public comment section of that meeting. The concerns stemmed from an alleged incident at the Nov. 4 Tyrone Area football game.
As a result of those concerns, an advisor for the group, Merle Louise Ammerman was in attendance at last night’s meeting to express her own concern over possible board action.
She read a statement during public comment explaining she had not been informed of a problem by the district until Nov. 23. She noted that was more than two weeks after the Nov. 8 meeting and several days after a meeting when plans were made with students and parents to go forward with the majorette season. Administrators put the program on hold until the issues could be discussed with the school board.
Ammerman told The Daily Herald she was not present during the alleged Nov. 4 incident. She also indicated she was not able to confirm the “bullying” incident or others like it with the students who were subjected to it. She said the girls who initiated the incident were punished and apologized.
Superintendent Dr. William N. Miller also confirmed the students involved in the Nov. 4 incident had been disciplined by the district.
After Ammerman spoke, several people with past or current associations with the program also read letters they or others had written in support of Ammerman. The board also received a packet of approximately 20 letters of support or references for Ammerman. Several other supporters of Ammerman were also in attendance.
Ammerman has been associated with the majorette program for more than two decades although she did step away from it for a few years before returning to it. During the public comment and comments made by Ammerman and her supporters outside the meeting room, it became clear they believed her status as an advisor was in potential jeopardy. There was also concern expressed about whether or not the program would continue this season.
Near the end of the board’s regular meeting, administration and school board members went into an executive session for about 45 minutes to discuss a personnel issue.
School board officials were limited in what they could say about the executive session since it dealt with a personnel issue. However, it was clear based on the information offered during public comment and by officials after the executive session, the discussion was about Ammerman and the majorette program.
This year’s indoor majorette program had evolved into a combined middle school/high school program. According to Ammerman, a dozen girls planned to participate in the program. She said five more girls still needed to be contacted about participation.
After the executive session, Ammerman and some of her supporters returned to the meeting room to hear what the district had to say about the situation.
Officials announced that they were going to allow Ammerman to continue in the advisor’s position and the majorette season would go forward. However, board president Lee Stover said things would be reevaluated at the end of the year.
Superintendent Miller said administrators wanted to sit down with Ammerman as soon as possible to discuss certain issues and establish certain guidelines. He also complimented Ammerman for her service in the program.
After the meeting, Miller explained that no motion or vote was necessary from the board since it took no official action.
“It’s under review, it’s under assessment,” said Dr. Miller. “She’ll continue in the position. (High school principal) Dr. (Rebecca) Erb and I will meet with her this week. I think we need to look at some guidelines and reevaluate a lot of this and try to improve interpersonal relationships.”
In a phone interview, Dr. Miller clarified some additional issues this morning.
He was asked about the possibility of the majorette program being disbanded.
Speaking in general terms, he said, “I don’t agree with that. A program would supersede the individual. If the students are interested and there is support for the program, the district would support a program that is good for the kids.”
He said administrators decided to put the program on hold until it could be addressed by the board last night.
He said the administration had addressed some of the issues in the past with parents and with advisors. Dr. Miller said the board had been kept advised of the past issues.
“There was no intent on anyone’s part here to terminate a program based on an advisor issue,” said Dr. Miller.
After the meeting, Ammerman said, “I’m very pleased with the decision they made and I’m looking forward to having a good year with the combined group.”
She said she would work with administrators regarding their concerns.
“That’s not a problem with me and it never has been,” said Ammerman.
