Resident defends coach Ray Woods during public comment at Tunkhannock Area SD meeting

Frank Sgrana of Tunkhannock Borough used his four-minute public comment slot to urge the board to reconsider any negative actions toward varsity wrestling coach Ray Woods, describing Woods as a long-term mentor who provided personal and financial support to student wrestlers.

Sgrana said he wrestled under Woods for more than six years and that the coach "cares more about his wrestlers than any coach from any sport that I've seen from this school district," adding that Woods transported students to tournaments, paid entry fees from his own pocket and opened his home to athletes for training and meals. "He never asked for anything in return," Sgrana said, and asked the board to remember Woods’ positive impact amid past critical comments.

The meeting’s open-comment period also included other local concerns: a speaker raised unresolved problems with softball and baseball scoreboards that have shown incorrect innings or sudden zeroed scores for about two years, and another resident asked whether a broken pipe on a field had been repaired. The board acknowledged those reports and said staff would follow up.

The board adjourned after a final call for comments and closing motions.