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[The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution: 9.21.2000]
Player's parents set to
appeal to board By Brad Schrade
The plan follows Wednesday's decision by the Cobb County school superintendent's office to uphold the suspension of William Donald "Donnie" Newsome Jr. The Newsomes, who say their son is innocent, met on Friday with central office officials to appeal the suspension. "After careful consideration, it is our decision to support [principal] Mr. John Flatt and the suspension of Donnie from the Walton football team," Assistant Superintendent Tony Arasi wrote in a letter. "All of us wish Donnie much success in school at Walton." Newsome's father, Bill, said if the appeal to the school board fails, the family is prepared to sue the school system to get his son back on the team. Newsome said his son has been recruited by about a dozen colleges, including the Naval Academy, West Point and the Air Force Academy, and his indefinite suspension is hurting his chances at a scholarship. Cobb school board member Laura Searcy said the seven-member board would consider hearing the appeal once it receives formal notification from the Newsomes. But Searcy said it would be unprecedented for the board to overrule administrators on a matter concerning a student's participation in extracurricular activities. Donnie Newsome and Vincent Errico, both 17, were arrested last month and charged with stealing a sport-utility vehicle and using it to destroy 20 mailboxes in east Cobb. After a public outcry, the students were kicked off the team Aug. 31. The two had a court hearing a day later, but the judge refused to overturn the school system's decision. As of Tuesday, Errico hadn't appealed his suspension to the superintendent's office. A court deciding a player's eligibility might be a first in Georgia, said Tommy Guillebeau, executive director of the Georgia High School Association. "I'm sure there have been kids who've been disciplined," said Guillebeau, who has been involved in Georgia high school athletics for almost a half-century. "I've never heard of it going to court." The two seniors are charged with 23 counts, including two felonies. Though Cobb County police initially said there might be other suspects, they said Wednesday they don't expect to make any other arrests.
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 PARENTS FACE COBB JUDGE .gif){kind=small} Parents of the two
students left the courtroom frustrated and silent.
PLAYERS KICKED FOOTBALL COACH WARRANTS ISSUED RESIDENTS STAND
VIGIL
BUSINESS
STOCKS
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