IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. EAST PALESTINE SCHOOL SITS ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF FROM THE TRAIN DERAILMENT. SO THEY HAVE BEEN PAYING VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO AIR QUALITY AND SAFETY AND TRYING TO GIVE THESE KIDS A SENSE OF NORMALCY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS. BUT SCHOOL OFFICIALS TELL ME FEAR FROM OUTSIDE THEIR COMMUNITY IS HITTING HARD HERE. IT’S DISAPPOINTING KIDS. IT’S REALLY LIMITING THE EXPERIENCE THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR STUDENT ATHLETES ARE ABLE TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE SPORT OF TRACK TRACK MEETS AT EAST PALESTINE HIGH HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BIG IN EVENT. MANY LOCAL OHIO SCHOOLS WOULDN’T MISS UNTIL NOW. WE’RE HAVING A MEET ON SATURDAY, WHICH I THINK LAST YEAR WE HAD 22. WE HAVE SEVEN EAST PALESTINE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DUANE PAVLOVICH SAYS THE WORRY OVER AIR QUALITY HERE HAS CREATED FEAR AMONG FAMILIES FROM OTHER SCHOOLS WHO REFUSE TO COME TO EAST PALESTINE CAMPUS. CONCERN THAT HAS LED SOME PITTSBURGH AREA SCHOOLS TO ALERT THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL. I UNDERSTAND PARENTS CONCERNS. I AM A PARENT MYSELF AND AND I RESPECT THE ONLY THING I WOULD ASK IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE, YOU KNOW, FACT CHECKING SOME OF THE SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE MAY BE RELYING ON THE AIR HERE HAS BEEN MONITORED BY THE EPA 24 HOURS A DAY SINCE JUST AFTER THE DERAILMENT. AND THE SCHOOL POSTS A LINK TO THE NUMBERS ON THEIR WEBSITE. PAVLOVICH SAYS THE DECISION NOT TO COME TO THESE MEETS IS ONLY HURTING THE STUDENTS WHO EARN THESE OPPORTUNITIES. THEY’RE TAKING THIS, YOU KNOW WHAT THEY IS? WHAT THEY SAY IS A SAFER APPROACH. EVEN THOUGH THERE’S NOTHING THAT SAYS IT’S UNSAFE HERE. WHILE THE DISTRICT IS HOPING TO MAINTAIN NORMALCY FOR THE STUDENTS NOW, THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE FINANCIALLY. THEY TELL ME THAT THE LOSS OF SPORTING EVENTS HERE HAS COST THIS SMALL DISTRICT. ABOUT $75,000. SO THEY SAY THEY ARE WORKING TO RAISE THAT MONEY, BUT REALIZING THEY CAN’T ASK THE BUSINESS IS IN TOWN WHO HAVE SUFFERED AS WELL. SO THEY HAVE STARTED TO FUNDRAISE. AND WE HAVE A LINK TO THEIR FIRST FUNDRAISER AT WTAE DOT COM AND EAST PALESTINE
School sports suffering due to East Palestine train derailment 2 months ago
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Updated: 6:57 PM EDT Apr 20, 2023
East Palestine Schools, located approximately a mile and a half from the site of February's toxic train derailment, has had a number of other districts refuse to come to campus to compete in track meets, costing the students the chance to compete and East Palestine money."Historically, we host four large invitationals here each year at East Palestine. They're a big deal. We typically have between 20-30 schools. This year has kinda been a down year. Our largest has been 13," Athletic Director Dwayne Pavkovich said. "We're having a meet on Saturday, which last year we had 22. We have 7."Pavkovich said parents in other districts are worried about the air quality so close to the derailment site."I understand parents' concerns. I am a parent, and I respect. But the only thing I would ask is that we are fact-checking some of the information that we may be relying on," Pavkovich said.Today’s top headlines: Driver hospitalized after school bus crashes into West Mifflin home Police investigating body found in Moon Township Car fire on Route 48 spreads, causing brush firesThe air in the area has been monitored around the clock by the Environmental Protection Agency since shortly after the derailment. The numbers are available online and indicate the air is safe."They're taking what they say is the safer approach, even though there is nothing that says it's unsafe here," Pavkovich said.Pavkovich said the loss of competition has cost the district about $75,000. They are now trying to raise that money without asking the local businesses that have suffered as well.
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — East Palestine Schools, located approximately a mile and a half from the site of February's toxic train derailment, has had a number of other districts refuse to come to campus to compete in track meets, costing the students the chance to compete and East Palestine money.
"Historically, we host four large invitationals here each year at East Palestine. They're a big deal. We typically have between 20-30 schools. This year has kinda been a down year. Our largest has been 13," Athletic Director Dwayne Pavkovich said. "We're having a meet on Saturday, which last year we had 22. We have 7."
Pavkovich said parents in other districts are worried about the air quality so close to the derailment site.
"I understand parents' concerns. I am a parent, and I respect. But the only thing I would ask is that we are fact-checking some of the information that we may be relying on," Pavkovich said.
Today’s top headlines:
The air in the area has been monitored around the clock by the Environmental Protection Agency since shortly after the derailment. The numbers are available online and indicate the air is safe.
"They're taking what they say is the safer approach, even though there is nothing that says it's unsafe here," Pavkovich said.
Pavkovich said the loss of competition has cost the district about $75,000. They are now trying to raise that money without asking the local businesses that have suffered as well.
