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- -- Serving - Macedon - Gananda - Walworth - Palmyra - Marion - Ontario - Williamson Following an investigation, the Times has confirmed that a long time trusted Williamson coachladministrator has had several affairs with past students covering the last 20 years. Donald Knataitis, who is currently serving as a vice principal at the Williamson High School was accused of having sexual contact with a girl while she was a student, from 1987 to 1988. According to the student, Karen Wright, Knataitis had been a close friend of the family and was her soccer coach in high school. When confronted with the allegations, Superintendent Barry Spink said that Knataitis admitted to him of past encoun- ters with Karen Wright and \eluded\ to . encounters with Karen's older sister Maureen Wright in years prior to his liaisons with Karen. The Times has also discovered a Williamson 1980 graduate who said she also \dated\ the then teacherlcoach. The girl was around 16 at the time. The now married woman wished to remain anony- mous. The Times confmed her story with statements by several other class- mates. \I know there were others,\ claimed the woman. \He told me I was special.\ She said that she knew it was wrong and attempted to break it off. I Knataitis, who also served as the girl's soccer coach, became a close family friend. The woman said she told her father of the affair and that immediately Knataitis disappeared from their family's life. The allegations came to light on Tuesday, April 1st when Spink met with Karen Wright and her lawyer. Wright said it took her 9 years to bring the situation out due to guilt and embarrassment. Several of Karen's friends and fellow classmates indicated that they too knew of Karen's secret. \For the past 10 years I wanted Karen to come forward. She couldn't do it until she was ready,\ said Mark Boisevert. Another friend, Rachel Jordan-McCall, said she too was encouraging Karen and would corrobo- rate her story. The friends feared that the encounters were perhaps still happening and they did not want others to go through what Karen had. According to Lieutenant Barry Virts who is leading the investigation for the Wayne County Sheriff's Department, the statute of limitations on any possible crimes involving the girls who have come forward has passed. \We can only be con- cerned with something that occurred after 1992,\ said Virts. His initial investigation has not turned up any current students involved in improper ways with Knataitis. The Times developed a list of past and current students that either had affairs with or had knowledge of affairs involving Knataitis. The Times immediately contacted police when it was felt that there was a chance of current, prosecutable Former Students Accuse Coach1 Administrator Of Past Sexual Contacts \We c& only be concerned with something that occurred after 1992,\ said Virts. His initial investigation has not turned up any current students involved in improper ways with Knataitis. \ crimes having been or being committed. Spink said he immediately contacted the school district's attorney and was informed that there was nothing they could do concerning any crimes that were-com- mitted prior to the statute of limitations. Knataitis had offered to resign his appoint- ed position. Spink said he offered to do this to save himself, his family, the school district and Spink, any embarrassment. Spink said he also notified the school board members of the charges. Knataitis was allowed to continue in his position since no formal charges could be placed against him due to the statute of limita- tions. \He told me that the encounter with Karen was the only one,\ said the Superintendent. Knataitis has taught at the district for over 26 yeas. He was well respected and said to have befriended and helped many girls over his time at Williamson. He was recently named \Administrator of the Year\ and currently serves~as President of Section V Girls Sports. He reportedly has coached girls' soccer and track at the school for a number of years and has con- tinued to do so. He also reportedly coached boys' track and wrestling in the past. Barry Spink said that if any current allegations surface he would take immedi- ate actions to remove Knataitis pending case outcomes. Wright said the decision to come for- ~ard~was very difficult and weighed on her for a number of years. She sgid the affair began in 1986. She claimed Knataitis was a close family friend and went on family vacations with them. \He came over for dinner while my parents were away on a trip. After dinner we were sitting on the couch watching TV. He Several confirmed student encounters cover decades Vice principal admits some past mistakes Police conducting investigation into possible current or recent cases grabbed me and kissed me. I was in shock. During that evening he became mad because I pushed him away. I knew it was wrong,\ said Karen. She said that Don left that night angry but contacted her on Sunday and smoothed things over. She said he persisted over the next several months and eventually the encounters became sexually physical. Karen claimed Knataitis, used a back equipment room near his athletic director office for a many of their sexual encounters. She said they also met at Knataitis' house at the time on Townline Road in Williamson, and at the Wright house when no one was home. Wright said she told Knataitis the affair was over in May of her senior year and that he was very angry. Jordan-McCall said she witnessed parts of the break-up and confirmed Karen's story. How could this go on for so long without anybody telling? see story on page 3 Karen said she did not learn of her older sister Maureen's affair with Don until after Maureen's death in a tragic car accident in 1985. In the accident Maureen and their brother, Michael, were killed. In January of 1988 Karen's mother was also killed in a car accident. Following these tragic events, Karen said she felt a tremendous void with the loss of her brother, sister and mother and she now feels Knataitis used this to gain her trust. Karen said he referred to her being \special\ and being \the only one.\ According to Karen, Knataitis remained a family friend after the break-up. She indi- cated that, looking back, Knataitis was \very smooth.\ Karen never told her father of her and Maureen's affairs with Don until this past December. \I decided it was time to come forward and I told him everything.\ Karen said she made the appointment with Spink and brought a lawyer as a wit- ness. She said she has no intentions of fil- ing any lawsuits against the District or Knataitis. \ I just wanted to bring it out and get over it,\ she said. Rachel. and Mark both said they hoped that Karen's coming forward would help other girls to come out with information and perhaps closure involving Knataitis. Don Knataitis could not be reached for comment. Police are asking anyone with infohnation to call 946-97 1 1. Volume 8, Number 34 April 15,1997 In this issue... Pal-Mac School Board p is cusses Voluntary Full-Day Kindergarten see story on page 17 Celebrate \Earthday\ At Alpco, Receive A Free Sapling & A Kite see page 5 He Steals Money To Bail Her Out Of Jail. Now They're Both Behind Bars! Plus Headlight Out Leads To HeroinICocaine & Marijuana Arrest In Macedon turn to Law & Order starting on page 7 Potential Tax Increase Discussed At Macedon Village Meeting see story on page 17 Don't miss a single issue of the newspaper that... tells it like it is! Times Subscribe todav Call 986-4360
