Local
Penn Wood athletics halted as William Penn district orders outside review
The William Penn School District has suspended all Penn Wood High School sports while an outside investigator examines an alleged incident involving athletics culture and climate. The varsity football team will forfeit its scheduled Friday game against Chichester.
All athletic activities at Penn Wood High School have been suspended while the William Penn School District investigates an alleged incident it says raises concerns about the culture and climate of its athletics programs.
The district announced Thursday, Oct. 15, that it had appointed an outside investigator to assess the information. It did not identify what allegedly happened or who may be involved.
“[A]ll Penn Wood High School athletic activities are suspended,” the district said in a statement, adding that it would conduct a fair and thorough review under district policies. The district also plans to survey student-athletes as part of the process.
Penn Wood’s varsity football team had announced it would forfeit its Friday night game against Chichester High School. The suspension affects all Penn Wood athletic activities, not just football; the district did not say how long it would remain in place or when the investigation would conclude.
The review comes as the district is without a superintendent. Dr. Eric J. Becoats retired effective Aug. 3, and the William Penn Board of School Directors had not appointed an interim superintendent as of Aug. 28.