WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 13, 2004: The Superintendent of Schools of the White Plains City School District, Timothy Connors confirmed to WPCNR today that Nick Panaro, Health teacher at WPHS and former White Plains High Cross Country Coach, founder of the Fred Gressler Memorial Meet just run this past weekend, will be recommended to the Board of Education to be appointed Interim Athletic Director replacing Mario Scarano. Mr. Panaro told his afternoon classes he would no longer be teaching their course because of his new responsibilities.

NICK PANARO, (RIGHT)  FOUNDER OF THE FRED GRESSLER MEMORIAL MEET, former WPHS Cross Country Coach, is expected to be appointed Interim Athletic Director shortly, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors confirmed to WPCNR Monday. Mr. Panaro, a Health Instructor at WPHS, is shown with White Plains Cross Country Coaches, Dan Furry, left, and Fred Singleton, Center, Saturday at the 9th Fred Gressler Memorial held annually to commemorate Fred Gressler, the beloved White Plains High Track Coach and runner. The Meet awards a $1,000 Scholarship every year to a White Plains Student for every year a student attends college. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Sources familiar with the athletic situation said the School Board had been "scrambling" to get some person in place since Mr. Scarano's final day on the job Friday.

Mr. Connors said Mr. Panaro stepped up to say he would accept the interim position at the School District's request. Connors told WPCNR Mr. Panaro "goes back a long way with the School District, he  knows the coaches, knows the kids, and would be a good fit" for the interim period while interviews with candidates for the Athletic Director's position are being evaluated.

A Possible Permanent Athletic Director?

Connors said Mr. Panaro did not have the state certification to be appointed permanent Athletic Director, and that he would have to serve an internship prior to receiving any permanent Athletic Director appointment whether at White Plains High School or anywhere else. Asked if Mr. Panaro was a permanent candidate for the position, Connors said that depended on whether he officially applied.

WPCNR asked whether Mr. Panaro could work for his certification while interim director, and what would he have to do to become eligible. Connors said, "We're looking into that, to see if we can help him with that." Connors added that usually the state "frowns" on interim appoints also qualifying as "internships," but he did not rule it out.

Interim A.D. Job Will Not Have Hiring, Firing Authority

Asked if Panaro would have authority to evaluate and remove coaches during the interim period that is undetermined at this time, Connors said that Panaro was not certified to evaluate coaches, appoint, hire and remove them. Connors said "Evaluating coaches isn't part of the duties we've asked Nick to assume as part of the position, he's not certified to do evaluation. The administration and I will be handling that."