P'burg examines sports inequalities School board won't release findings. Federal probe examining alleged Title IX violations. Wednesday, April 11, 2007 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | After reviewing the findings of an internal investigation into inequality complaints within the Phillipsburg School District, school board members said Tuesday night that changes are coming. The school district has been the subject of a federal investigation into 32 alleged Title IX violations. Title IX is a federal law that requires equality in educational and, in this case, athletic programs at public schools. Board members and administration officials were mum about the details of the 100-plus page report issued by the Stier Anderson law firm late last week. "I think it addressed a number of issues and we're going to look at it very seriously and form an action plan to address it," school board president Paul Rummerfield said. The board called a special meeting Tuesday night then adjourned to a closed-door session. They emerged two hours later and took no action. Earlier Tuesday, the Express-Times filed a formal Open Public Records Act request for the report. After the meeting, board attorney Don Morrow suggested it may not be released because the federal investigation is still pending. "We're reviewing it to make an assessment of what areas are problematic," Morrow said. Morrow said the report identifies some areas where the district may have issues with Title IX. The report did not make recommendations to the district. The district hired Stier Anderson after someone filed an internal complaint with the district. Around the same time, Phillipsburg was notified by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights that it was being investigated for alleged violations. Allegations of preferential treatment for Phillipsburg High School's top-ranked football team are at the core of the federal complaint. Most of the allegations involve perks given to the high school football team, but not to female athletes. Among them: football players were given free game-day breakfasts, post-game parties in the school, shirts, rings and jackets. The complainant alleges football players were provided SAT tutoring and allowed to practice during the school day, benefits that were not given to female athletes. The OCR is keeping the complainant's name secret, citing privacy concerns. Superintendent Gordon Pethick said the district has given OCR all the information the office has asked for, including reports on athletic programs, budget numbers and facilities. At last check the Stier Anderson report was costing the district at least $60,000. Pethick said administration has not gotten the final bill yet. Asked to comment on the report's findings, Pethick said, "I'm still in the process of reviewing." According to OCR spokesman Jim Bradshaw, most cases are resolved with a voluntary compliance deal between OCR and the district. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used by NJ.com with permission.