Board of education deciding corrective actions

COAL GROVE — More than 30 Coal Grove residents waited through a nearly three-hour-long Dawson-Bryant Board of Education executive session Tuesday night to learn the fate of one of the district’s athletics coaches.

The residents were in attendance to show support for football, basketball, track and power-lifting coach Jay Lucas, who had been allegedly accused by other parents in February of favoritism and intimidating some of his players.

Some even had flyers on their cars that read, “Don’t take away our inspiration. We can’t stand without it,” and “Please support our coach.”

After the executive session, board president DeAnna Holliday read a brief statement.

“The board has determined that the allegations and concerns raised will be addressed with the teacher/coach and corrective actions will be taken.”

Superintendent Dennis DeCamp said Wednesday those corrective actions are being developed and that the board wanted to let the public know “termination was not being considered at this time.”

Bryan Lee, a Lucas supporter, was at the meeting and said the board’s decision was a “big moral victory for the school district.”

“I think it was right decision based on the facts and the investigation that was conducted,” Lee said after the meeting. “I don’t think they could really find a whole lot, so to speak, to charge Jay with. They hired him to coach and he is the man for the job.”

The board also hired a mechanic/maintenance employee as well as approved an updated board policy, guidelines and forms.

 

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