Helmets On

Helmets On?

Editor: I would like to address the controversy surrounding the issue of horns vs. wings on the Riverside Football helmets. The issue arose earlier this year at a meeting and then took a back seat to more pressing issues such as successful completion of a contract for our maintenance staff, the implementation of a K through 12 curriculum, a variety of legal and personnel issues and accomplishing a zero percent tax increase in the worst economy ever. This was all done with the utmost professionalism and tireless effort on the part of the current board, superintendent, administrators, teachers and maintenance staff.

In a discussion with superintendant Woods, I brought up the fact that our board had not met in July and that I thought that we should meet in committee the Monday prior to our work session to discuss any pending business before the school year began. I told him that one of the issues that needed to be addressed was horns vs. wings. I asked him to poll the board, get their feelings and make it happen. When the poll came back the way it did, I said 'Make it happen," and he did. He asked 'You want me to do it?" and I said yes. Unfortunately, I thought he was talking about setting up the meeting and he thought I was talking about changing the wings to horns. I got on a plane, took my family away for a week and shut my phone off.

Upon returning from vacation, I was shocked and dismayed to learn not only of the miscommunication, but also of the ensuing controversy, and I realized a response was needed. I thought of the commencement speech I had given at graduation, when I spoke of integrity. I said that some people use integrity as a statement, when in fact integrity is the action which follows a statement. I commend the taxpayers and students for holding their ground on this issue, coming together as one and standing up for what you believe. I also commend vice president Michael Duda, secretary Bob Bennie, treasurer Thomas Harrison and Charles Mauer for doing the same in my absence. While being maligned in the public discussion, they did not make it personal or negative.

In that same speech at graduation, I spoke of humility. Although there has been an exorbitant amount of fuel poured on this fire for no reason other than to make the current majority look foolish in the eyes of the district, I am the president of the Riverside School District and I take full responsibility. If I hurt anyone, I am sorry.

People make mistakes, learn from them and try not to repeat them. It was not anyone's fault but my own and again, I apologize to anyone whom I have hurt.

I always try to teach my children to, and make certain that I learn something from every situation. Although I am biased, I have learned that Riverside Vikings have more tenacity and passion than any district that I have ever come across, and always refuse to lose, no matter what. I am proud to be your president, but one question comes to mind: Can you imagine what we can accomplish for our children if we all work together with same passion we have for the issue at hand?

Attention to the teams we face on our schedule this year: Our boys are all fired up and they didn't even get their helmets, yet.

Wings on, Gentlemen and God Bless,

Timothy J. Lavelle

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