On August 8, 2019, Counsel for Requester, Terry Mutchler the former Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records a decorated attorney and award winning journalist in her own right; filed an appeal against the Williamsport Area School District for denying records including the recently obtained “room assignments” email.

The appeal in part is provided below and demonstrates the active measures the WASD engaged in to continue the cover-up of the “criminal sexual misconduct” committed by a baseball player on another teammate during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was recently charged by Myrtle Beach authorities. The case file is sealed due to the sensitive nature of the case and the fact that juveniles are involved.

Mr. Charles Rees Brown
Chief Counsel
Office of Open Records
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Re: Appeal from RTKL Denial of Williamsport Area School District
Dear Chief Counsel Brown:
On behalf of Todd Bartley and Fox Sports Williamsport, I write to appeal to the Office of Open Records
(“OOR”) a denial of public record by the Williamsport Area School District (“District”), pursuant to the Right to
Know Law, 65 P.S. 66.101 et seq. (“RTKL”). Please enter our entry of appearance on behalf of Todd Bartley
and direct all communication on this matter to Mutchler Lyons.

ARGUMENT REFUTING WASD DENIAL REQUIRED BY SECTION 1101
I. RTKL FACTUAL BACKGROUND

On June 17, 2019, the Requester filed a Right-to-Know Law 65 P.S. 67.101 et seq. (“RTKL”) request with the Williamsport Area School District (“District”), seeking information relating to the high school baseball team’s trip to Myrtle Beach and an alleged assault that occurred during that trip.

On June 21, 2019, the District provided an interim response, requesting an additional thirty days in which to provide a response to the request. On July 18, 2019, the District issued a timely partial denial. Requester appeals this partial denial.

II. LEGAL ANALYSIS

As the OOR states in each of its Final Determinations, the Supreme Court defined the RTKL as remedial legislation designed “to empower citizens by affording them access .to information concerning the activities of their  government.” SWB Yankees L.L.C. v. Wintermantel, 45 A.3d 1029, 1041 (Pa. 2012). Further, this records access law is designed to promote access to official government information in order to prohibit secrets, presumed public unless exempt under the RTKL or other law or protected by a privilege, judicial order or decree.” See 6S P.S. §67.305. An agency bears the burden of proving the applicability of any cited exemptions. See 65 P.S. § 67.708 (b).
Section 708 of the RTKL places the burden of proof on the public body to demonstrate that a record is exempt from disclosure. In pertinent part, Section 708(a) states: “(l) The burden of proving that a record of a Commonwealth agency or local agency is exempt from public access shall be on the Commonwealth agency or local agency receiving a request by a preponderance of the evidence.” 65 P.S. § 67.708 (a). Preponderance of the evidence has been defined as “such proof as leads the fact finder … to find that the existence of a contested fact is more probable than its nonexistence.” Pa. State Troopers Au’n v. Scolforo, 18 A.3d 435, 439 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2011). 

III. DENIALS AND GROUNDS FOR DISCLOSURE

The following are the items of the Request that were denied, and the Requester’s response to each denial:
1. Travel party list – Granted, but redacted because the record identifies children then aged 17 or younger

Requester’s position: The District needs to defend these redactions under the RTKL, offering sworn proof to the fact that the only material redacted was the name, home address, or date of birth of a child that is currently 17 years of age or younger. See 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(30). The redactions should not be permitted for individuals who are currently of the age of majority.

2. Hotel room assignments – Denied because no record exists.

Requester’s position: The District must provide a statement made under penalty of perjury, detailing its good faith effort to ascertain this record. See 65 P.S. § 67.901 (requiring the AORO to undertake a “good faith effort”); see also Hous. Auth. of the City of Pittsburgh v. Van Osciol, 40 A.3d 209, 216 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2012) (unsworn statements are not competent evidence).

3. Receipts from accommodations – Here, the District “granted” the Request, providing only records that reflected its receipt for tournament registration.

Requester’s position: The Request did not call for tournament registration receipts, it called for “accommodation” receipts. The District may not reinterpret this request as a request for tournament registration receipts. See Madison v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole, 2019 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 531, *7, 206 A.3d 683, 2019 WL 2385099 (an agency is not permitted to answer a request according to the agency’s interpretation but must answer the request in response to the Requester’s intent/meaning).

The District argues that hotel rooms and accommodations were not paid from “District accounts.” However, if District employees paid for the accommodations and were reimbursed by the District, the receipts received by the District for that reimbursement would be subject to disclosure. RTKL jurisprudence holds that a record is “of” an agency when it documents the transactions of that agency, not only when it reflects a payment made directly from an agency account.

The entire appeal is available BartleyAppeal_8.8.19.

IV. JURISDICTION

The OOR has jurisdiction over this appeal. This Request did not seek criminal investigation records. The records for which the Section 708(b)(16) exemption is claimed are not records of a  criminal investigation, facially. For example, the Request seeks “Written documentation of first contact from law enforcement received by WASD…,” which could easily be a simple introductory letter retained for WASD’s file. The records sought are not garden-variety criminal investigatory records (e.g., a search warrant), and should not be treated as such.

It is not enough for the agency to simply cite to Section 708(b)(16), to avoid the OOR’s jurisdiction.

Rather, the agency must submit sworn proof, demonstrating exactly how the requested records fall under the criminal investigation exemption. See Bush v. Westtown-East Goshen Police Dep’t, OOR Dkt. AP 2016-1869, 2016 PA O.O.R.D. LEXIS 1708.

V. CONCLUSION

We ask that the OOR hold WASD to its burden of proof required under the RTKL, and order disclosure of these public records.

Respectfully submitted,
Terry Mutchler, Managing Partner
Charlie Lyons, Partner
Mutchler Lyons
219 S. State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Counsel for Requester

In response to the appeal, the WASD filed a myriad of legal extension requests and agreed to a mediation session with Counsel for Requester and the OOR.

From the TalkWilliamsport.com article, Sean McCann missteps; “we dealt with it immediately, when we learned of it”:

When Williamsport Athletic Director Sean McCann told a concerned parent who inquired about the Myrtle Beach case; “we dealt with it immediately, when we learned of it”, did he inadvertently let the closely held secret out of the bag?

The documented record uncovered during the TalkWilliamsport.com investigation seems to support that premise.

The web untangled in a major way on Saturday, May 9, 2020:

According to the RADIO SHOW CALLER CLAIMS in PART XVI:

“I like know specifically what happened there and

the people involved knew instantaneously after it happened.

The parents of everyone involved knew instantaneously after it happened.

There’s was no cover-up.

It’s not, it’s not the general public’s business what happened there.

The parents of everyone involved knew.

I agree that the student involved should have never been allowed back on the high school baseball team, but there was no cover-up.”

The family of JOHN DOE #1 was not in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina since they had not made the trip.

However, the family of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the photos at local bars posted to social media, verify that.

Background for this story, on February 17, 2015, Sean McCann was Named Region II Athletic Director of the Year.

On further background for this story and as referenced in “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” – PART I

“According to documentation obtained from the Williamsport Area School District through a Right to Know Law Request,

the only adult supervisors that had provided clearances and passed background checks were;

NO ROOM LIST AND NO CHAPERONES

As part of the Appeal from RTKL Denial of Williamsport Area School District undertaken by Talk Williamsport filed with the OOR on August 8, 2019, the WASD under the penalty of perjury offered the following answers from Wanda Erb, in an affidavit on October 8, 2019:

I, Wanda Erb, hereby declare, pursuant to 18 Pa. CS 4904, that the following statements are true and correct based upon my personal knowledge information and belief:

6. Regarding Requestor’s fourth request, all of the chaperones on the trip were district employees, coaches, or volunteer coaches. No other adult chaperones accompanied the baseball team to Myrtle Beach.

From the June 17, 2019 RTKL Request

2). The hotel room assignments as outlined by the WASD Baseball Coaching Staff for the baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach during the 2017-2018 school year.

WASD Responded in the July 18, 2019 RTKL denial

2. Hotel room assignments – Denied because no record exists.

The WASD Baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina did not have a hotel room assignment list at the Atlantica Resort with no adult chaperones and only the district employees, coaches, or volunteer coaches.

Talk Williamsport has independently confirmed

the two administrators did not stay on property at the Atlantica Resort.

Talk Williamsport appealed the WASD July 18, 2019 RTKL denial

As filed by Terry Mutchler on behalf of Talk Williamsport :

Requester’s position: The District must provide a statement made under penalty of perjury, detailing its good faith effort to ascertain this record. See 65 P.S. § 67.901 (requiring the AORO to undertake a “good faith effort”); see also Hous. Auth. of the City of Pittsburgh v. Van Osciol, 40 A.3d 209, 216 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2012) (unsworn statements are not competent evidence).

Again, Wanda Erb in the October 8, 2019 Affidavit W. Erb RTK Appeal – Oct. 8, 2019 offered the following response:

4. Regarding Requestor’s second request, I conducted a thorough examination of files in the possession, custody and control of the Agency for records responsive to the request.

As these types of records would be in the possession of the athletic director or head coach, I spoke with WASD Athletic Director Sean McCann and former head baseball coach Ryan Miller.

At the time the request was made (6-17-19 original RTK request), neither Mr. McCann nor Mr. Miller had any record identifying which players were assigned to which hotel room.

Accordingly, I have made the determination that the records requested are not within the Agency’s possession, custody or control. 

Since TalkWilliamsport.com exposed the secret and the cover-up the mindset changed to attack the author and marginalize him; just like the FAMILY OF JOHN DOE #1 at the outset of the incident in Myrtle Beach.

From PART XVI

CAMPAIGN TO MARGINALIZE TALK WILLIAMSPORT CONTINUES

Even as PART XIII and PART XIV were published, WASD administrators were still trying to persuade concerned parents that this series is all a myth.

Williamsport Area High School Athletic Director Sean McCann who was in Myrtle Beach as noted in this series; authored a recent e-mail to a WASD parent who voiced concerns after reading Part XIII and Part XIV.

The e-mail to the concerned parent has been provided to Talk Williamsport.

“The author of these articles is way out of line and has severely exaggerated the information.

We dealt with it immediately, when we learned of it,

it was never shared on social media as he believes in his writings.

We met with the mother the day after we learned of things and

worked with the family for over an entire year.

It was dealt with and the unfortunate thing,

this author keeps bringing it up, keeps hurting the kids,

bringing it up all this time afterwards just keeps hurting the kids,

that’s the frustrating thing.”

–Sean

Based on the well documented paper trail of evidence of those involved in their own words; did Wanda Erb in her official capacity as the WASD Right to Know Officer having previously denied the “room assignments” email and now miraculously providing it; just implicate former head baseball coach Ryan Miller, WAHS Athletic Director Sean McCann and WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe in a conspiracy to withhold public records as well as conspiracy to commit perjury?

The perjury occurred by providing the “room assignments” email having previously made sworn statements under the “penalty of perjury” in a affidavit to the Office of Open Records that “no record exists”, on multiple occasions.

Was the reasoning “this will be no big deal”?

Or was a more sinister plan in play devised by members of the administration in concert with the blessing of the WASD school board and undertaken by WASD Solicitors Fred Holland and Jeff Rowe?

TalkWilliamsport .com has obtained the invoices for legal services performed by the law firm Murphy, Butterfield and Holland relating to the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach as well as the work performed on the RTKL requests filed by this author.

The WASD response to the article “Millionaire Baseball Mayhem in Myrtle Beach” is so preposterous it is something only they would do; and it had nothing to do with providing public records or as former WASD teacher and current Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter claims his administration engages in with the public; being transparent.

According to WASD sources Wanda Erb as well as WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe are currently on vacation coinciding with the Easter Holiday.

Whether those vacations from the WASD remain temporary or permanent is in the hands of Dr. Tim Bowers, WASD Superintendent and members of the WASD school board.

Information related to the separate interviews Dr. Bowers and WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe had with the Office of Attorney General Josh Shapiro is forthcoming.

“The Beginning of the End” is forthcoming.

LINKS TO THE SERIES PUBLISHED BY Talk Williamsport

How did Wanda Erb miss this email on the WASD.org server? – PART II

– A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXVII

How did Wanda Erb miss this email on the WASD.org server?

– A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXVI

WAHS Principal Pardoe immediately responded to Ricky Stryker threat raised by Coach Ryan Miller

Marc Schefsky, WASD School Board member announces intention to resign

WASD School Board candidate petitions obtained, connections run deep

WASD School Board to discuss vacant board seat tonight

Lycoming County District Attorney office confirms receipt of Marc Schefsky non-WASD residency complaint

WASD school board removes 2023 Disney band trip from agenda

Residents circulate petition for immediate removal of Marc Schefsky from WASD school board

Nancy Somers resigns from WASD school board

BREAKING NEWS: Resignations to be announced at the WASD School Board meeting tonight

WASD solicitor Fred Holland wants $20,000 retainer and a raise for ’21-’22

UPDATE: WASD acknowledges existence of “room assignments” email, contradicts prior Wanda Erb affidavit

UPDATE: WASD has 48-hour deadline to respond to Right to Know Law requests

WASD School Board major changes are forthcoming

OP-ED: Another Embarrassing Display of Willful Ignorance by the WASD school board

OP-ED: Long past time for Dr. Bowers to resign as WASD Superintendent

BREAKING NEWS: Is the WASD finally acknowledging Myrtle Beach victims with new policy?

Marc Schefsky WASD school board resignation could be the least of his issues

BREAKING NEWS: Marc Schefsky resigning from school board after WASD residency questioned

Residency of WASD School Board member in question

BREAKING NEWS: WAHS student criminally charged by South Carolina authorities in 2018 baseball team incident

UPDATE: Major development in the 2018 WAHS baseball team “criminal sexual misconduct” case

WASD lack of response clock posted

WASD fails to acknowledge “victims” in Myrtle Beach incident; uses death of George Floyd as distraction

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXIV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XX

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIX

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVIII

BREAKING NEWS: PA AG Press Office confirms receipt of Criminal Sexual Misconduct referral from DA Gardner

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVI

EXCLUSIVE: AG Shapiro press office on referral: “If and when we receive it, it will be promptly reviewed”

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVII

BREAKING NEWS: PA AG Press Office confirms receipt of Criminal Sexual Misconduct referral from DA Gardner

UPDATE: Charges filed in Greater Latrobe Junior High hazing case cited in “A Baseball Story”

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVI

EXCLUSIVE: AG Shapiro press office on referral: “If and when we receive it, it will be promptly reviewed”

BREAKING NEWS: District Attorney Gardner refers Myrtle Beach case to PA Attorney General – PART XV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART X

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IX

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART V

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART III

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART II

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART I

Fans often ask me, what if?

Millionaire Baseball Mayhem in Myrtle Beach

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records along with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro will now have the opportunity to determine if Wanda Erb committed perjury or swore out false statements to a state agency in Right to Know Law responses in her role as the RTKL Officer for the Williamsport Area School District.

For nearly three full years, through a blizzard of very simply worded Right to Know Law requests, TalkWilliamsport.com has sought records relevant to the 2018 WAHS baseball trip in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where “criminal sexual misconduct” has been proven to have occurred and it was captured on video.

Recently, ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1  was criminally charged by South Carolina authorities in the 2018 baseball team incident.

The WASD early on developed a strategy to deny access to clearly public records making arguments that have been proven over time to be patently false in order to keep the records secret.

After nearly three full years of continually asking for a “room assignment” list, a multitude of appeals, previous records mediation sessions and attorneys involved on both sides; the dam burst today with a record that was always in the possession of the WASD.

THEY LIED!

This story contains graphic language and details related to multiple indecent sexual assaults.

The following article contains emails and information obtained from the Williamsport Area School District through the PA Right-to-Know Law.

Why did WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe wait 12 days after the Childline call was made in May 2018 to open an investigation into what WASD Solicitor Fred Holland characterized as “indecent and inappropriate behavior”?

The incident in Myrtle beach during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip was later confirmed by Lycoming County District Attorney to be “criminal sexual misconduct” of which ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was charged for.

As Brandon Pardoe said in part in an email sent on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 2:24 PM to then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller and copied to WASD Athletic Director Sean McCann with the Subject: Stryker and the no trespass letter attached;

“Ryan,

Thank you for your patience as we went through the proper channels

to hopefully curtail this unacceptable behavior.”

What does Pardoe mean when he says “we went through the proper channels”?

Is this not standard procedure in the Williamsport Area School District?

Based on the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro investigation of the WASD handling of the Myrtle Beach incident; it appears going “through the proper channels” is not standard procedure.

Ryan Miller resigned as WAHS head baseball coach on Friday, April 20, 2018, citing family reasons as noted in this story and exactly 14 days from the “No Trespass” letter SRO Jordan Stoltzfus hand delivered to Ricky Stryker.

Let us now explore the less than 72-hour window of time the WASD dealt with the perceived Ricky Stryker threat.

From: Ryan Miller
Date: April 3, 2018 at 3:04:54 PM EDT
To: Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>, Brandon Pardoe <bpardoe@wasd.org>
Cc: jstolzf@wasd.org
Subject: Ricky Stryker situation

“Dear Brandon and Sean,

I would like to thank you Dr. Pardoe for your immediate response to my concerns upon arriving home from Myrtle Beach, as well as you taking the initiative to meet with Mr. Stryker on your own time. It is greatly appreciated by myself and the coaching staff.

I attached SRO Stoltzfus to this email for elaboration on the Ricky Stryker situation. First off, SRO Stoltzfus, I want to thank you for your attention to this issue.

I understand that all three of you will be involved in the outcome of this issue therefore I wanted all of you to know where the WSD coaching staff and I stand.

Due to Ricky Stryker’s past aggressive actions towards the baseball coaching staff and recent personal threats towards myself I believe it is extremely important for him to be swiftly banned from all WSD events home or away. 

This issue has been discussed amongst all coaches and we as a baseball staff, WSD representatives, and protectors of our athletes do not need the distraction, nor the fear of being approached physically by a known aggressive problem maker.

For an individual who approached coaches in the past and threatens them via social media the coaching staff and I do not believe simply telling him he can’t be there will be enough. Although his father has been supportive, his father has advised him before not to conduct himself in this way and he has not listened. Therefore, simply believing someone saying he won’t be around the team or threaten us is irrelevant.

I understand there is a process that needs to take place amongst administrators. I understand I can only suggest an outcome.

As the leader of the WSD baseball team and the individual entrusted to not only run the baseball program but have our athletes best interest in mind

I felt it is important for all of you to hear this suggestion that I have presented above.

I would also like to ask the athletic department to personally discuss once again with the parents about proper conduct at sporting events and how to represent the WASD in a positive manner.

Negative comments from any parent or fan towards coaching staff and players is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately after the representation that was observed in Myrtle beach. If any person is considered unruly the same request will be made to have them removed permanently from sporting events. The coaching staff has been proactive in creating posters that will be displayed on the fences down at Logue and Winder Field and I would ask that the same be done on the athletic departments behalf in whatever form you see fit.

SRO Stoltzfus I also understand you may need to contact me regarding my personal safety outside of WSD related events. I will do whatever you need me to do to get this handled. I appreciate everything you do and thank you.

I appreciate everyone’s time in regards to this matter.

Sincerely
Ryan Miller
Sent from my iPhone”

When then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller said in his own words; “Due to Ricky Stryker’s past aggressive actions towards the baseball coaching staff and recent personal threats towards myself I believe it is extremely important for him to be swiftly banned from all WSD events home or away”; does the same standard apply to “indecent and inappropriate behavior” and “criminal sexual misconduct” of which ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 committed on another teammate during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach?

Does the same standard apply to ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 since Miller said; “This issue has been discussed amongst all coaches and we as a baseball staff, WSD representatives, and protectors of our athletes do not need the distraction, nor the fear of being approached physically by a known aggressive problem maker.

How does then head coach Miller have any understanding of an outcome in the Stryker matter (unless Pardoe had already determined it; again)?

“I understand there is a process that needs to take place amongst administrators. I understand I can only suggest an outcome.”

Miller fully accepts his responsibility as the WAHS head baseball coach; “As the leader of the WSD baseball team and the individual entrusted to not only run the baseball program but have our athletes best interest in mind.”

What about the player’s safety and well being instead of “best interest”; what does Miller even mean by saying that?

EDITOR’S NOTE: A mere 6-seconds after sending the “Subject: Ricky Stryker situation” email above; then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller forwards the message to volunteer assistant coach Randy Zangara as noted below.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ryan Miller
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 3:05 PM
To: Randy Zangara
Subject: Fwd: Ricky Stryker situation
Sent from my iPhone

Former WASD administrator Randy Zangara has consistently denied any involvement in any WASD investigations.

Why would Ryan Miller forward Zangara the message and not the rest of the WASD baseball coaching staff?

Further understanding can be gleaned in “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” – PART II:

ZANGARA REFUSES COMMENT

As previously outlined in their responses, WASD placed Randy Zangara in Myrtle Beach at the time of the alleged incidents in March 2018.

Talk Williamsport made attempts to reach Dr. Randy Zangara to discuss the phone calls referenced in this story, Dr. Zangara offered the following e-mail response from his Penn College e-mail account:  <REDACTED @pct.edu>, on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 12:43 PM

Hello Mr. Bartley,

I heard that you have both called and physically stopped by Penn College to talk with me. I am requesting that you do not contact me via phone, at work, home, or for that matter anywhere else. I presume you are wanting to ask questions about a trip that occurred in the Williamsport School District that I was not on. If in fact that is the case you must understand I will not engage in conversations pertaining to investigations I was not involved with.

Thank you Randy J. Zangara, Ed.D., Pennsylvania College of Technology

Dean of College Transitions and First Year Initiatives

Mr. Zangara in his statement says,

“I presume you are wanting to ask questions about a trip that occurred in the Williamsport School District that I was not on. If in fact that is the case you must understand I will not engage in conversations pertaining to investigations I was not involved with.”

Yet, in the WASD RTKL response to Talk Williamsport WASD does not flatly deny the request with “the records do not exist”.

10. (Erroneously numbered as 8) Notes taken by Randy Zangara during interviews with students, parents, and staff— First, it is assumed that your request seeks notes pertaining only to the alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip. That request is denied because these records relate to a non-criminal investigation, constitute notes by a public official for his own use, and/or identify a child then aged 17 or younger or denied because the records do not exist.

WASD further offered the following with Wanda Erb in the October 8, 2019 affidavit:

8. Regarding Requestor’s sixth request, I conducted a thorough examination of files in the possession, custody and control of the Agency for records responsive to the request. This entailed contacting the Agency’s cellular phone provider and inquiring whether the text of any text message could be recovered as of the date of the request. The provider informed me that the contents of the messages could not be obtained without a court order. The provider was able to produce call and text logs for a certain time period for those district employees whose bills were paid by the district during the course of their employment, including Brandon Pardoe, Sean McCann and Randy Zangara. Further, I reviewed the text messages then existing on the phone of Brandon Pardoe and Sean McCann with their existence. I found nothing responsive to the request.

When asked if I could conduct a similar review with Mr. Randy Zangara.

Mr. Zangara declined.

Penn College currently employs Randy Zangara as Dean of College Transitions and First Year Initiatives. Zangara was formerly the career and technical education director for the WASD.

HEAD COACH RYAN MILLER RESIGNS CITING FAMILY REASONS

A number of fact witnesses have shared with Talk Williamsport that Head Coach Ryan Miller along with then volunteer statistician Randy Zangara showed up for the night game on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 as Holy Redeemer played Williamsport at Bowman Field – heavily intoxicated.

Fact witnesses stated that the brother of Ryan Miller was so disgusted with the situation, he left.  Fact witnesses also stated Zangara blamed it on a bad reaction to cough syrup.

Ryan Miller & Randy Zangara had 15 phone calls with each other the next day on Thursday, April 19, 2018 beginning at 7:13 a.m. through 6:46 p.m. totaling more than 90 minutes.

The brother of Ryan Miller had multiple phone conversations with Randy Zangara the same day.

Brandon Pardoe & Randy Zangara had a phone call Friday, April 20, 2018 at 3:20 p.m. and at 3:55 p.m. later that same day Zangara received a call from Ryan Miller lasting 4 minutes.

Ryan Miller submitted a typed and signed letter of resignation to WASD on Friday, April 20, 2018 citing family reasons.

The WASD School Board accepted the resignation of Ryan Miller on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

WAHS head principal makes a Request on Thursday, April 05, 2018 at 3:40 PM as noted below:

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 3:40 PM
To: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>; Richard Poole <rpoole@wasd.org>
Cc: Susan A. Neidig <sneidig@wasd.org>; Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>; Ryan Miller; Jordan Stoltzfus <jstoltzf@wasd.org>
Subject: Request

“Dr. Bowers and Dr. Poole:

I am writing to express my concern over the attached “FB Direct Message” that was sent to our head baseball coach at WAHS, Mr. Ryan Miller from Ricky Stryker. Ricky Stryker has two younger brothers on the team who are integral to the success of the team. Ricky Stryker sent this message to Coach Miller while the team was on their annual trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. Ricky Stryker was not present at the tournament in Myrtle Beach. Ricky Stryker verbally attacked the coaching staff last year at a district playoff game at Bucknell University. Also, Ricky Stryker is well known by the WBP for his actions in the community. It is my recommendation that we do not permit Ricky Stryker to attend WAHS baseball games as a spectator as he would be a distraction for the players, coaching staff, fans, and community. The innuendos and language used by Ricky Stryker is not a reflection of the program or school that we want to permit. This request is being made for the protection of our student athletes and school employees. I have been in touch with Ricky Stryker’s father, Rick Stryker, Sr. who is appalled with this message that his 36 year old son sent to the coach of his younger son on the team. He is aware of the request. Any assistance by using Mr. Holland, WASD Solicitor, to notify Mr. Stryker would be a proactive measure to avoid a possible conflict at an upcoming competition. 

Thank you for your consideration in protecting our students and employees. If I can provide you with any further information about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Brandon Pardoe
WAHS Head Principal”

Based on the information provided in the WASD email exchanges the Ricky Stryker Message was sent Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 9:16 a.m. and was liked by Stryker at 4:21 p.m. the same day and reads as follows:

Look you better get your fucking shit together iMessage you personally because I don’t like the way you;re fucking dealing with shit if you fuck up both my little brothers chances at college there’s gonna be a big fucking problem between me and you and when I see you I will approach you you’re a fucking horrible coach dude if you have anything to say don’t go to my mom don’t go to my dad you come to fucking me understand

From: Timothy Bowers [mailto:tbowers@wasd.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 3:49 PM
To: Fred Holland <fholland@mbhlaw.com>
Subject: FW: Request

“Hi Fred,
Would you please review and let me know your thoughts?
Tim”
Dr. Timothy S. Bowers
Superintendent of Schools
Williamsport Area School District

From: Fred Holland [mailto:fholland@mbhlaw.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 4:00 PM
To: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>
Subject: RE: Request

“Hi Tim,
I think I should send him a no trespass letter.
Do we know his address?
The last few letters, Jordan has hand delivered. That might also be worthwhile for this one, if he’s willing.
If you want me to send a letter, get me the address, and I’ll get it out, for hand delivery by Jordan, or by certified mail.
If you want to talk it through, please call.
Best,
Fred”
Fred A. Holland
Murphy, Butterfield, & Holland, P.C.
442 William Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
Ph: 570-326-6505 Fax: 570-326-0437

From: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 5:01 PM
To: Brandon Pardoe <bpardoe@wasd.org>
Subject: FW: Request

“Can you get me his address?”

Dr. Timothy S. Bowers
Superintendent of Schools
Williamsport Area School District

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Jordan Stoltzfus
Subject: FW: Request

“Jordan,
Can you get me an address for Ricky Stryker?
Brandon”

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Timothy Bowers
Subject: Re: Request

“I will request from Jordan and he mentioned that he is willing to hand deliver.”

>‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
>From: Brandon Pardoe
>Sent: Friday, April 06, 2018 2:24 PM
>To: Ryan Miller
>Cc: Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>
>Subject: Stryker
>
>Ryan,
>
>Attached is the copy of the letter that Fred Holland, WASD Solicitor, composed to send to Ricky Stryker. Officer
Stoltzfus is going to hand deliver and we will mail a copy to him via US Mail.
>
>It is imperative that regardless as to what he may post or attempt to provoke you that you do not respond. I have spoken to both of Ricky’s parents and informed them of our course of action as a district. We will continue to support you and the coaching staff. Thank you for your patience as we went through the proper channels to hopefully curtail this unacceptable behavior.
>
>If anything else arises, please do not hesitate to bring it to my attention.
>
>Brandon Pardoe
>WAHS Head Principal

Holland Letter to Stryker 4-6-18 banning him from campus facilities dated April 6, 2018.

On 4/6/18, 2:35 PM, “Sean McCann” <smccann@wasd.org> wrote:
>I know it’s verbiage, but Fred’s letter states that he cannot be on any property owned by WASD, we don’t own Logue Field, we lease it, does that matter?

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Friday, April 6, 2018 2:42 PM
To: Sean McCann
Subject: Re: Stryker

no

Lingering questions remain after the WASD Right-to-Know Law disclosures; why if WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe was aware of Stryker’s bad behavior a year earlier, why did it fall to Ryan Miller to suggest a ban from WASD property?

If Randy Zangara has nothing to do with anything related to “investigations” is Ryan Miller sending him a narrative email with granular details?

Why is the public perception from outside the WASD that situational outcomes are pre-determined based on race and socio-economic status?

Why after almost three plus years of Right-to-Know Law requests and WASD disclosures; Ryan Miller and the rest of the WAHS baseball coaching staff is unable to share which hotels and what room numbers they stayed in?

Has the WASD decided to now use former WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller as the scapegoat for the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip where “criminal sexual misconduct” occurred and ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 has been recently charged?

How is Ricky Stryker banned from the WASD with no crime of a sexual nature against a child and not on any “lists”; and yet other community members are giving unlimited access to campus without submitting to background checks?

Or is it just another pre-determined WASD outcome?

Is it any wonder why WASD school board members are resigning for any reason they find suitable?

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

“The Beginning of the End” – is forthcoming.

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

TalkWilliamsport.com has obtained the letter Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture sent State Senator Doug Mastriano denying access to the PPE stockpile housed at the PA Farm Show complex.

The PA Farm Show complex is located across the street from the Department of Agriculture.

The March 24, 2021 letter reads as follows:

The Honorable Doug Mastriano

Senate of Pennsylvania

Senate Box 203033172

Main Capitol Bldg.

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3033

Dear Senator Mastriano:

Thank you for reaching out regarding the Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) maintained at the Farm Show Complex.

Since March 2020 the Commonwealth has fulfilled every legitimate needs’request submitted for PPE and there are no unmet needs requests at this time. We have pushed out close to 6.3 million N95 masks, more than 1.2 million gowns, more than 3.5 million procedure masks, close to 16.7 million gloves, more than 1.5 million face shields, and close to 1.4 million bottles of hand sanitizer. Most recently, the commonwealth storage area has managed the receipt and redistribution of several million masks for the educational sector, where we worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Intermediate Units to provide these masks to schools. PPE currently is shipped out as needed to support vaccination sites across the state.

Any supplies purchased with state funds are reimbursable through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Costs for PPE are high and as the Commonwealth uses FEMA funds to purchase, we follow that agency’s guidance on the distribution of PPE. In your letter, you mentioned that there may be eligible entities that need PPE. If you would please identify those entities and provide me with their contact information, we will reach out to them.

The PPE inventory is part of preparation for this pandemic and any future needs associated with it or other emergencies. As we have done since the beginning, it is necessary to maintain appropriate security for these essential goods.

Accordingly, we are unable to grant you access to the Farm Show Complex at this time.

Sincerely,

Russell C. Redding

Secretary

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

CC: Governor Tom Wolf

Alison Beam, Acting Secretary of Health

David (Randy) Padfield, Director PEMA

Troy Thompson,Press Secretary, Department of General Services

Joseph Jacob, Superintendent, Capitol Police

Stephen Rudman, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies & PPE sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

On background, the talking points included in the letter sent by Department of Agriculture, Secretary Russell C. Redding mirrors what Shannon Powers, Press Secretary for the PA Department of Agriculture provided the following to TalkWilliamsport.com in response to the PPE stockpile WHISTLEBLOWER story.

“The Wolf Administration used the summer months to prepare for a fall resurgence that would – and did – significantly tax the healthcare sector. Part of this strategy was to acquire a significant stockpile that could be used to assist healthcare facilities who were unable to acquire these products through their normal supply chains, such as we saw during the spring surge of COVID-19. As the global supply chain for these products has been limited at times, the Administration has had to look at alternative vendors, including some from overseas; however, all products that are purchased for this stockpile have been vetted by federal partners and are either approved or authorized for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. This has resulted in the Administration having significantly more PPE on hand to assist those who need it than we had prior to COVID-19. Further, at this time, costs related to maintaining this stockpile of PPE supplies are being covered by the State and are reimbursable by Federal disaster relief funds.

We continue to push PPE to those who need and request it and will work to ensure we keep our stockpile filled to prepare for a future surge, for future COVID-19 vaccination efforts, or even a future public health emergency.

The Administration has also pushed out significant quantities of PPE to those facilities that need it. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the commonwealth has provided millions of N95 and procedure masks, gloves, gowns, face shields and bottles of hand sanitizer to facilities that need it across the state. We require that facilities first attempt to procure these products through their own supply chain, but in the event that PPE such as masks, gowns, face shields, gloves or hand sanitizer is unable to be procured, a resource request would be submitted for review and if appropriate, PEMA and the Department of Health collaborate to deliver the requested supplies. The commonwealth stockpile is used in the event that other suppliers do not have the necessary items and all other potential sources have been exhausted.

We have pushed out close to 6.3 million N95 masks, more than 1.2 million gowns, more than 3.5 procedure masks, close to 16.7 million gloves, more than 1.5 million face shields, and close to 1.4 million bottles of hand sanitizer from the stockpile.

Pennsylvanians need to continue social distancing, wearing masks, and doing all of the things that we know help to keep us safe – that’s the best way to protect yourself and your family, but it also protects our health care workers.”

The same talking points were used by Lyndsey Kensinger, Press Secretary for Governor Wolf in a story by ABC27.

According to ABC27, a task force to relocate the PPE stockpile is being developed, “There’s a sense of urgency. We need to open up the Farm Show because it makes money for the economy. When visitors come, they stay at hotels and eat at restaurants,” Rep. Patty Kim, (D-Dauphin) said.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com in conjunction with 21-time Emmy Award winning journalist Wendy Bell and the Wendy Bell Radio Show on WJAS-AM 1320.

Pictured: Standing from left is Patrick Dixon, Barbara Reeves, Marc Schefsky, Star Poole and Adam Welteroth. Seated from left is President Lori Baer, V.P., Dr. Jane Penman, Dr. Nancy Story Somers and Jennifer Lake.

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Marc Schefsky, WASD School Board member announced he intends to tender his resignation in the coming days citing a serious family health concern with his father in Florida.

The WASD School Board was beginning the process of filling the open seat caused by the sudden resignation of Nancy Somers when Schefsky made his announcement during the meeting tonight.

For individuals seeking to fill either seat, applications will be made available by the Williamsport Area School District.

The due date announced in the meeting tonight is April 8, 2021.

The WASD School Board also voted to move their next meeting from Tuesday, April 6, 2021 to the following Tuesday, April 13, 2021 which will be held in the Williamsport Area High School Auditorium with CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.

Each applicant will be interviewed in-person during the meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

When reached Tuesday evening, the office of Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner declined further comment.

Previous reporting on the WASD School Board by TalkWilliamsport.com.

WASD School Board major changes are forthcoming

WASD solicitor Fred Holland wants $20,000 retainer and a raise for ’21-’22

BREAKING NEWS: Resignations to be announced at the WASD School Board meeting tonight

Nancy Somers resigns from WASD school board

Residents circulate petition for immediate removal of Marc Schefsky from WASD school board

Lycoming County District Attorney office confirms receipt of Marc Schefsky non-WASD residency complaint

WASD School Board to discuss vacant board seat tonight

WASD School Board candidate petitions obtained, connections run deep

“The Beginning of the End” – is forthcoming.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.