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Slidell:  District to seek AG opinion (#2)

posted on April 06 - 08:40 AM
By Joe - TexasISD.com
 

SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS — The Wise County Messenger has filed an open records request with Slidell ISD regarding the district’s decision to place girls basketball coach Lance Shelton on paid administrative leave. MICAH MCCARTNEY/WCMESSENGER

Slidell ISD plans to seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General’s office on records requested by the Wise County Messenger concerning the district’s girls basketball coach Lance Shelton being placed on paid administrative leave.

After filing the request with the district March 30, Jennifer Powell, a shareholder with Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C, an Austin-based law firm representing the district, said the information could not be made public.

“There is very limited information responsive to your request, and some of it is protected by the attorney-client privilege,” Powell wrote in an email. “The district will be forced to seek an AG opinion to withhold that information unless you want to clarify that your request specifically does not seek attorney-client privileged information.”

Public entities are required to fulfill requests for public information without delay, and to notify the requester within 10 business days if they seek an attorney general’s opinion to withhold information.

The Messenger asked that any records that do not contain attorney client privilege be released while the law firm sought the AG opinion.

The request was made after Slidell ISD heard from nine speakers — including student-athletes, parents and school employees — regarding the district’s decision to place Shelton on paid administrative leave at a school board meeting March 28.

According to Slidell ISD Superintendent Taylor Williams, Shelton was placed on leave March 2, shortly after the Lady Hounds fell to Richland Springs in the 1A Region III semifinals.

“We cannot answer questions regarding personnel,” Williams said. “All teacher contracts go on the agenda for the April meeting.”

In his seven seasons at Slidell, Shelton has compiled a 194-38 record. His teams have won seven consecutive district titles and made four trips to the regional tournament.

A crowd of about 50 attendees were at the meeting seeking answers for a reason for Shelton’s suspension. None of the attendees at the meeting spoke against the coach.

Speaking in support of Shelton, Brian Edwards spoke of an incident of a verbal assault that occurred in the stands before a District 22-A away game at Gold- Burg in January, leading to a disciplinary action against Shelton.

“A member of the administration staff admitted guilt as a result of a grievance and a very incomplete investigation,” Edwards said. “Contained in an email was an acknowledgment of guilt by the staff member and an assurance that appropriate action from the administration was taken.

“The problem is [the email] didn’t mention whom the action was taken against. Come to find out months later, coach was put on some sort of disciplinary probation, also known as a growth plan. This happened in a visitors’ gym, not his. He was in no way involved, and he gets the paperwork for it? How does this happen?”

Another parent, Nicole Wright, said she was involved in the incident, and believes the coach shouldn’t have been blamed.

“I have heard that because of this incident, a valuable coach and history teacher got in trouble,” Wright said. “What I don’t understand is how something out of his control could be put in his permanent record. It seems weird to me that all of the administrative staff, including the athletic director, witnessed the incident and did nothing. Maybe they should be written up and put on leave, as well.”

Shelton released a statement to the Messenger following the school board meeting Monday.

“I was put on paid administrative leave for two communication matters — one with a family, and the other with my assistant coach,” the statement reads. “Prior to being put on administrative leave, I was put on a growth plan due to a school employee and her daughter arguing with other parents in the stands before a basketball game. I had no involvement. This was the catalyst for my growth plan.”

In her email to the Messenger, Powell believes there’s another side to the story surrounding the district’s decision.

“Coach Shelton’s explanation of his situation is not entirely accurate,” she said. “But unfortunately, the district can’t rebut it because it does not disclose details about personnel matters based on employee privacy concerns.”

Slidell trustees are scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. April 18, inside the high school library.

The post District to seek AG opinion first appeared on Wise County Messenger.