Kennett High Booster Club under investigation

Danforth, club president, declines to comment

School officials and local police are investigating possible wrongdoing involving Kennett High Booster Club. Club president Ron Danforth, a Kennett High aide who has been out on medical leave since December, is not commenting."It is my understanding that there is an investigation centered around the Kennett High School Boosters Club," Mark Hounsell, school board member, said. "I have no knowledge of anything else so therefore I can make no comment as to who is being investigated."School Superintendent Carl Nelson said he could not comment on the investigation other than to call it "a personnel matter." He said Kennett Booster Club is "an independent operation that raises funds and then contributes them to the school's athletic teams."Nelson said he does not know who makes up the booster club. Danforth has been president since its inception more than five years ago. According to a press release issued May 11 last year, "the Kennett High School Booster Club board members include Danforth, vice president Veta Smith, secretary Giselle McCarthy, treasurer Steve Burroughs and board member Ivy Spencer."Contacted by phone Thursday, Burroughs said he is not and has never been treasurer for the boosters. "I have bought a tree from the boosters and items at the concession stand but not anything else," he said. "I've never seen the books. Ron asked me last year if I would look at the books and kept setting up meetings and then canceling the day before. I've never seen anything or been to a meeting. Many times, he said, 'Oh yeah, we'll get together and do it,' but we never did... He never told me who did the books... I have never been the treasurer or at this point do I want to be."Police Chief Ed Wagner confirmed Wednesday that his department has been notified of the school investigation. "We were contacted within the past few days," he said. "Other than that I cannot comment at this time."Contacted at home Wednesday, Danforth was asked about the investigation. "I'm not aware of anything so I can't comment," he said. Asked whether the booster club has dissolved, Danforth replied: "I'm not going to comment on anything because I don't know what is going on."An advertisement running in the SUN for the past week advertises the sale of a concession stand: "Like new 2002 7'14' Cargo Express Concession stand. Glass rear and side window with screens. Flat top grill, fridge and sink. $5,800. FMI 447-2039."The phone number is Danforth's and he confirmed he is selling the club's concession stand, which was used at Fryeburg Fair last fall. "It is the booster trailer; I'm not going to comment on anything. I don't know what is going on," he said.Over the years the booster club has sold Christmas trees and wreaths, operated concession stands at school sporting events, held craft fairs, raffles and auctions, and organized a potluck supper at each of the seasonal sports awards nights. Last June the club was slated to host its first golf tournament. Keith Hilton, of First Stop on Main Street in Conway, confirmed Thursday that Danforth recently returned $50 from a raffle promoted nearly two year ago, which was never held. "I'm not sure it was two years ago," Hilton said.When Kennett High hosts winter sports awards this Tuesday, the dinner will be organized by the Kennett High Football Boosters. Art Walker, president of the football boosters, said his group is not connected with Danforth's club. "I have a very strong board of directors," he said. "I couldn't be happier with the group we have."Walker had been a member of Danforth's booster club. "It was just Ron and me and I was constantly saying, 'Let's get other people involved,'" he said. "Phil Haynes (assistant football coach) called me up and asked if I would head up the football boosters. I've never been happier with this group, everyone is wonderful. I love working with the kids."Shawn Bergeron, one of the founders of Mount Washington Valley Youth Hockey Association, said in the past the association has been asked to help at the Kennett High Booster Club Christmas tree sale and was told that in return the organization would receive donations. "For a long time we have been asked to provide hockey personnel to sell Christmas trees which we did, but we never got anything out of it... We did get money from working at the Fryeburg Fair because Mrs. (Mary-Anne) Lane got us the money ($150)."Kennett High Booster Club has awarded scholarships since 2002. Last year the club presented the $500 Cindy Chase Award and four $250 Kennett High Booster Scholarships.