Burrell considers policy to combat unsportsmanlike fan behavior

It could be three strikes and you’re out for unruly spectators at Burrell School District events.

“The board is putting in place a spectator code of conduct as a result of the shenanigans that the adults have had while at school,” Superintendent Shannon Wagner said.

Athletic director Brian Ferra said there has been “an increase in inappropriate behavior by spectators across all levels.”

That includes yelling at officials, using profanity and “just nonsportsmanlike behavior,” Ferra said.

There have been more issues with adults than students, he said.

The proposal states all spectators must demonstrate good sportsmanship and cannot do things, such as taunting, or using profane or inappropriate language or gestures.

Violators first will face a warning for the instance and will be removed from the event for the second instance. If a third instance occurs, the violator will banned from school events for one year.

The policy will be enforced by administrators, school security and law enforcement personnel.

Ferra said Burrell drafted the policy based on similar policies at other school districts, such as Southmoreland and Monessen. Districts across the board have been dealing with poor behavior at events, he said.

“It’s not just interscholastic athletics,” Ferra said of the poor behavior. “It’s the whole way down to the youth level.”

Burrell had a policy in place, titled Public Attendance at School Events, but that didn’t address fan behavior, Wagner said. It focused only on Blue and White cards, which provides free admittance for district residents who are senior citizens.

“We read the sportsmanship message every game, but I don’t think people are really getting it,” Ferra said.

Spectators also must not use drugs, tobacco or alcohol, and anyone who attends events under the influence will be immediately removed, the proposal states.

There have been issues with impaired adults attending events while other groups were using the district’s facilities, Wagner said.

Final approval is anticipated at a January school board meeting.

Ferra said he plans to meet with the sports teams’ booster clubs to review the policy and code of conduct.

Other policies

The board also will consider nine other updated policies when it meets in January.

The district’s proposed Tobacco and Vaping Products policy was last revised in 2015. The change now prohibits the use, possession, purchase and sale of vaping products as well as tobacco and e-cigarettes.

“This policy prohibits kids to have it anywhere on campus,” Wagner said.

The policy is not directly related to a recent raid of city vape businesses, Wagner said, but is linked to the district’s recent security upgrade and wanting to establish guidelines for issues such as vape detectors.

Violators will be referred to the Student Assistance Program. They also could be subject to attending a court hearing. Students who tamper with vape detectors also are subject to discipline.

Several other policies have minor revisions, including Relations with Law Enforcement, Searches, Controlled Substances and Paraphernalia, Use of Video Surveillance Cameras, Public Relations Objectives, Publications Program, Public Participation in Board Meetings and School Visitors.

All proposed revisions to the policies are available for review on the district website at burrell.k12.pa.us.