By Heather Posey, Staff Writer
Parents and coaches of the Wilson High School gymnastics team announced last week that school administrators will restore their former practice room, which was turned into a weight room, on a temporary basis.
On Oct. 30, the LBUSD was ordered to reinstall the gymnastics team’s equipment until a trial can be held Dec. 11 in the Title IX lawsuit filed by Wilson Girls Athletic Director Fredia Rhodes, gymnastics coach Steve Marion and parents of team members.
According to the plaintiffs, in mid-September the group went to federal court before the judge to prove the case had merit over the defendants’ “motion to dismiss.” They won a “cease and desist” order in regard to our Motion for Preliminary Injunction, which stopped all movement/changes and use of the gymnastics room. The room had been closed to the students and faculty until last week’s motion.
Due to an undisclosed medical procedure, Wilson High School Principal Diane Brown is in recovery and unable to attend trial. After discussion, a fact-finding recess, and negotiations between lawyers, Judge Gary Allen Feess granted a motion to postpone and gave a reinstatement order for the practice room.
All gymnastics apparatus is now in the process of being reassembled and is said to be well intact aside from the team’s spring floor, which was deemed damaged beyond repair. Depending on the speed of assembly, the team will have less than three months to prepare for their season competitions.
Though the trial has been postponed it is not expected to last more than 3 days. Both parties have been advised that once the trial concludes it will take approximately 10 to 14 days before a final verdict is given.
