PV super speaks out about field

Pleasant Valley Superintendent David Piperato last week addressed directors Len Peeters, Laura Jecker and Donna Yozwiak about the turf discussion at the previous meeting.

At that meeting, the district board voted to replace the turf field with the same product it has used for the past 12 years, crumb rubber fill.

Piperato said the presentation made by the three directors could have been misinterpreted to “indicate that this administration intentionally recommended something that would be harmful to our students.”

He said, “I feel the need to provide some additional context.”

The presentation was geared toward research and data which would indicate that the use of crumb rubber in artificial turf field causes cancer in athletes.

“As best I can tell, the primary source used for the presentation was Coach Amy Griffin from the University of Washington,” Piperato said.

“There are multiple research studies done based on Coach Griffin’s concerns that have completely debunked the theory that crumb rubber causes cancer.”

Piperato quoted numerous sources and studies, including a study conducted by the Washington State Department of Health and Washington State University’s School of Public Health that found no connection between cancer and the use of crumb rubber.

Piperato’s statement also addressed his concern with the lack of transparency by Peeters, Jecker and Yozwiak.

“The community should know that the presentation that was delivered by Mrs. Jecker, Mrs. Yozwiak and Mr. Peeters was a surprise to the superintendent and the other members of the board,” he said.

“We were not provided advance notice or an advance copy of the presentation. Ironically, the three board members presenting that evening have always insisted on advance materials in order to properly prepare themselves for our meetings. They did not provide us the same courtesy.”

Piperato and other board members were also angered when the presenting board members were unable to provide copies the day after the meeting when requested to do so.

“That proactive attempt by Mr. Peeters, Mrs. Jecker and Mrs. Yozwiak to prevent the rest of us from having information that was presented at a public board meeting, is information that MUST be made available to the general public, let alone the superintendent and board members,” Piperato said. “Fortunately, the Times News did livestream the meeting and I was able to view the presentation.”

“There is a decided lack of trust here,” said Director Ken Cocuzzo. “You sandbagged the board. You ask for transparency but apparently it does not apply to you.”

Jecker defended not having the presentation to share, saying she had saved it on a business drive and needed to delete it to use the drive.

Peeters said he had copies to provide the night of the meeting but felt it was moot after the vote and did not keep the copies past that evening.

“If there was a chance that it (crumb rubber) could result in harm to a student, that is what I was fixed on,” Peeters said. “Once it was voted on, I assumed it was a moot point.”

“After conducting additional research and considering the actions of board members to intentionally prevent me from seeing their research, I can only conclude that this community was intentionally misled about the dangers of crumb rubber,” Piperato said in his concluding statement.

“Much more troubling is the fact that the presentation exploited the death of one of our students … and for what gain?

“As the CEO of this school district and an adviser to the board, it is incumbent upon me to provide honest, transparent and reliable information to all of our stakeholders. I am hopeful that we can begin to focus on the positive developments in our district.”