DPS investigating circumstances of Dunbar ouster from state basketball tourney

"DPS takes exception to the OHSAA ruling and we are investigating the facts surrounding this incident," Lolli said at district headquarters downtown.

RELATED: OHSAA ousts Dunbar over ineligible player

She would not discuss personnel issues when asked to address whether the district athletic director, Mark Baker, has been placed on administrative leave.

The district does not agree with the ruling, Lolli said, declining to explain what she and the district means.

"We take exception to the fact that our students are not playing on Sunday [in the sectional finals at UD Arena]. And we take exception to the fact that we were ruled in the way that we were," Lolli said.

RELATED: Dunbar football controversy embroils DPS AD Mark Baker

"It's extremely detrimental to our basketball players that they are not permitted to play in the game on Sunday,” Lolli said.

“We're very upset about that for both the families, but most of all for our students. they won't have that experience and that opportunity and experience -- especially our seniors."

The district is investigating, she said, and she vowed that the investigation would not be dragged out.

Lolli would not say exactly who is part of the investigation. Board members Mohamed Al-Hamdami, Karen Wick-Gagnet and the Rev. William Harris Jr. (board president), stood with her during the news conference but said nothing.

"We're taking a firm stance about whatever comes out of this,” Lolli said of the district and the investigation. “We're going to be strong in whatever we do in response to whatever we find after this investigation is over."

Lolli had no comment as to whether the district would take its fight to court.