There's a new development in the Pine-Richland / Eric Kasperowicz story.
On Monday, Kasperowicz, whose contract as head football coach for Pine-Richland was not renewed last month, released a letter he sent to the district last week.
Along with images of the letter, he posted the message "Still fighting!! Sent last Tuesday with suggestions for moving forward & an offer to meet...#RamFamily"
In the letter, Kasperowicz wrote that he's 'saddened at what has happened in our community and my role in it."
He also acknowleged that his attitude during a meeting at the end of March of this year may have played a role in the districts decision to cut ties with him saying of the incident, "I was not able to properly control my negative emotions. My conduct was not close to the level of professional discourse I expect from myself - nor those I supervise in my education career."
He also addressed bullying and hazing allegations made, which were cited as reasons for the non-renewal of his contract. He wrote, "While I cannot more strongly defend myself, my staff and eight years worth of P-R football players against these allegations, I do realize they are extremely important issues."
In his letter, Kasperowicz offered to be part of the solution with two suggestions. The first is to create locker room monitoring policy.
The coach believes that having a policy in place may have prevented any bulling or hazing incidents that were alleged to have taken place.
He also proposed that he and the district work together to develop a program for coaches complete prior to the start of each season in a similar way that they have medical progams that must be completed related to concussions and heat.
Kasperowicz then proposed that he, the district, his staff and the community "restart" their relationship and closed the letter apologizing for his role in the situation and asked to begin discussions on the return him and his staff for the upcoming football season.
Kasperowicz and his assistant coaches were told by the district last week that their contracts would not be renewed.
After nearly a week of not commenting on the situation, the district made a statement about not renewing the contract. At the time, school board president Peter Lyons said, "Over a period of three months, an investigation was conducted into specific allegations of inappropriate student conduct and a broader allegation of misconduct within the football program."
A rally supporting Kasperowicz is planned before Monday's school board meeting.
The Pine-Richland Rams are the reigning 5A state champs.
Kasperowicz was a frequent guest on the Quest for the Best High School Football Show on 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA.