By VICKI MORTIMER

The Avonworth School Board, at its regular meeting on Monday, voted to refund the $2,600 spent by the football boosters to purchase nameplates for the football team's away jerseys.

The board recently received a letter from an attorney representing the boosters, asking that the nameplates be allowed to go on the jerseys or the amount spent by the boosters be refunded. The letter stated that the boosters had obtained permission from the coach, athletic director and members of the school board's athletic committee before going ahead with the purchase.

Parent Bill Molinari said at the meeting that the earlier decision by the board to stop the nameplates from going onto the away jerseys may have been based on a mistaken understanding that the boosters had not obtained the proper authorization before ordering the nameplates. He and Alan Cuteri said that e-mails established that the boosters had, in fact, followed proper procedure and been given permission for the purchase.

Board president David Oberdick said that, traditionally, player names have not been placed on away jerseys.

Board member Jeff Schmid advocated allowing the addition of the nameplates because they would not cost the school district anything, especially because the boosters had agreed to pay for any wear and tear caused to the jerseys by the addition of the nameplates. A motion by Schmid to allow the nameplates failed to receive a second.

Board member Lynn Evans said that the issue had "held the board hostage," and "had escalated too much." Board member Brenda Barlek said that the matter already had been decided by the board.

A motion to refund the $2,600 was approved in a 5-3 vote, with Oberdick, Schmid and Marybeth Sommers opposed. Frank Mucha was absent. The boosters will be required to provide documentation of the expenditure.