Parents accuse rival programs of recruiting; board says TSSAA probation limits local authority

Public comments at the Tipton County School Board meeting on June 12 centered on allegations of recruiting and improper contact between coaches and students at neighboring high schools, and the board’s limited authority to act when the statewide governing body issues sanctions.

Logan Walt, who identified himself as a lifelong resident and parent, told the board he had documentation he said showed contact between a coach at another school and Covington High School students. "It is undisputed fact that coach Gallon directly could contacted Covington High School players via text message within the same school week that coach Kirby's possession of resignation," Walt said, urging the board to investigate and to protect local student athletes.

A second public commenter, Jason Johnson, a former coach and local resident, urged adults to resolve disputes so students retain opportunities to compete. "We are depriving our current Tipton County student athletes of the opportunity to create these memories," Johnson said, asking the board to put athletes first and offer to help find solutions.

Board members and administrators responded that the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (referred to in the meeting as TSSAA or, in the transcript, "t double s double a") is the statewide body that sets and enforces athletics rules. A board member summarized the association’s action: "Probation status ... means we're watching it," and said probation allows the association to escalate consequences if further violations occur. The board member added that, under TSSAA bylaws, relationships and discipline between schools and coaching staffs are handled by the association and the school-level administration, not the board.

Board members said the district enacted a policy change in March (policy 4.301) requiring communications between schools and TSSAA involving disciplinary actions, contest infractions or scheduling changes to be submitted to the district athletic director. That change, the board was told, makes the district more aware of infractions than it used to be, but it does not shift TSSAA's enforcement authority to the board.

Several members said they were troubled by the appearance of being out of the loop and asked district staff to compile more information and to consult with principals and athletic directors about possible additional procedures or disciplinary options the district can pursue. The board agreed to follow up and to bring options back for consideration.

The meeting did not produce a new formal disciplinary action by the board; members said next steps would be staff-driven: collecting records, confirming what TSSAA found, and returning with recommendations for potential district-level policy or procedural changes that would not conflict with TSSAA authority.

The board closed public comment after hearing from the two speakers and moved on to other agenda items.