Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Thievery Upsets Parents

By JOHN MILLER

Gurdon's School Board was tossed a hot potato Tuesday, Oct. 15 concerning thefts from students.

Sharon Gattis, the mother of a junior high football player, addressed the board on the subject, saying something needs to be done to stop the rampant thefts occurring while the boys are practicing and playing.

According to Gattis, who represented the junior Go-Devils and their parents, 33 members of the team have had something stolen from them so far this year.

Part of the problem, she said, is the team was moved from the fieldhouse to the gymnasium -- which apparently aggravated the situation.

Gattis informed the panel, with four members present, primarily the three newly elected ones and Jesse Runyan, who acted as president, clothes had been scattered about in the gym's locker room causing the players to have to search for their things.

Attempts to discuss the situation with some of the coaching staff resulted in Gattis being told the students shouldn't bring the items stolen to school. In some cases, these items included articles of clothing.

John Pace, head football coach and athletic director, was notified of the situation and ordered the other coaches to search those "hanging around" in the gym.

Gattis said the result was the coaches asked if anyone had been in the locker room and were told no. No search, however, was conducted, she told the board.

"We're really concerned about their (coaches) attitudes," she said.

Gattis' husband, Jimmy, questioned school authorities, asking if the Gurdon Police Department had been notified of the thefts.

He ended up taking a list of the stolen items to the GPD himself, she said.

Part of the problem, Gattis continued, is the fact the locker room doors were not being locked, and when they were, "pirated" keys were floating around and were available.

Gattis said one player had a jacket stolen and saw another child wearing it. When he notified a coach, the other child argued, saying it was his.

The jacket's owner continued in his quest for justice and the return of his jacket by informing the coach his name was on an inside pocket. A check, she said, revealed the boy to be telling the truth.

However, the student who was in possession of the stolen jacket was not punished, Gattis told the panel.

"The system failed," she said. "We want the stealing stopped, who's doing it caught and disciplined."

Smithson admitted talking with Jimmy Gattis and said he was unaware of the move from the fieldhouse to the gym. He said there is plenty of room for the junior and senior teams to dress out in the fieldhouse.

According to Smithson, Pace said a coach had been assigned to lock the dressing room doors during practice, but random checks have found the locker room doors to be open.

Gurdon Middle School Principal Jeff Alexander, Smithson said, has taken to running those students who are "hanging around" the gym out when they don't belong there.

"Stealing has always been a problem," Smithson said. "Ultimately, it is the coaches responsibility to lock the door. We need a coach there while the boys are dressing out. They have five people."

Gattis had asked the board to either find or replace a watch stolen from her son. The watch was a birthday gift to him and, therefore, very special.

Smithson said he didn't know the answer to the restitution problem, but it could be taken from the athletic budget. "We can make them pay," he said.

Stan Escalante, one of the three new members, asked if Pace had the authority to discipline the other coaches on staff. Once being told he did, Escalante suggested action be taken.

The superintendent said it is Pace's job to make sure the doors are locked or delegate.

Pace was not at the meeting to answer any questions. He was attending his father, who has cancer.

However, coaches Donald Williams and John Ware have been told to make sure those students not participating in athletics were kept out of the gym.

Smithson said the players need to be back in the fieldhouse, where the district can either build or buy lockers to protect their belongings.

Billy Tarpley, also a new member, said those committing these acts don't need to be in this district any longer, and will move to have them expelled once they are caught.

"No one needs to put up with this stuff," he said. "I want our children to feel safe and secure. I'm very concerned and support the conducting of an investigation into the matter."

Smithson said a probe could be done with the district making an attempt to find the culprit.

He said those who have had items stolen need to document them so the restitution can be made from the athletic budget.

"This might send a message," he said. "There is no provision in the handbook (for theft)." The district's insurance policy, he added, makes no provisions for replacing items stolen from students.

He suggested trying to find the culprit, giving them a hearing, having them prosecuted and then suspending them from school.

An attempt will be made to move the junior high team back to the fieldhouse, with the coach responsible for keeping the doors locked getting disciplined as well.

Alexander informed the board the GMS handbook calls for suspension if a student is found guilty of stealing.