Scott County Central situation to be topic at MSHSAA's meeting in June

~ But spokesman doesn't expect DESE report to be discussed.

The penalties against Scott County Central's boys basketball program will be a topic on the agenda in the June meeting of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

But MSHSAA spokesman Rick Kindhart doesn't expect the board to consider information that has come to light in the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's investigation into residency discrepancies for Bell City students.

"It's a separate issue until the DESE process is complete," Kindhart said. "And there's an appeals process involved, so it would probably be premature for us to comment. We're going to let that process take its course, and if there's reason for additional information to be considered, that can take place after the DESE process is done."

Scott County Central and basketball coach David Heeb were handed penalties April 8 in a meeting with MSHSAA's board of directors for violating bylaws pertaining to undue influence. In a process that lasted roughly six months, MSHSAA found evidence existed that Heeb, who had coached at Bell City for five years from 2000 to 2005, talked to Bell City students and their parents about transferring to Scott County Central.

MSHSAA suspended Heeb from coaching or attending high school and junior high games for the second semester of the 2006-07 season -- including the state playoff series -- and will not allow him to organize gyms during the three-year period that Scott County Central is on probation.

DESE is expected to release a report this month from its investigation, which found Bell City illegally obtained state aid for at least nine students who didn't live in the school district. Of that group, three were basketball players who alleged that Heeb attempted to recruit them.

Scott County Central superintendent Dr. Joby Holland said earlier this week he didn't understand how Heeb could be penalized for allegedly attempting to recruit players who live in his school district.

Kindhart said MSHSAA received a request in writing from Scott County Central to be on the agenda at the June 14 board meeting. Kindhart said he believed the board will be revisiting the penalty phase of the investigation process.