Parents allege safety and favoritism concerns in Brunswick High girls track program; board moves to executive session

Parents raised safety and staffing complaints about Brunswick High Schoolgirls track and field during the Glynn County Schools Board of Education meeting on Jan. 13, and the board moved into an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

At public comment, Matt Joyner, identifying himself as a parent and a track coach, said multiple complaints had been filed about the girls head coach, citing instances of absenteeism, perceived favoritism toward athletes at another school or program, equipment damage, and a lack of support for volunteer coaches who pay out of pocket for safety gear. "My concern is the kids," Joyner said, arguing that the coaching decisions and staffing patterns were affecting athletessafety and competitive results.

Another parent, Joshua Cook, described a separate allegation involving his daughter. "The girls track and field head coach instructed my daughter to remove clothing on a bus with active cameras on," Cook said, and added that communication about incidents had been inconsistent: he said the communications director acknowledged the complaint but the principal later "claims no recollection of the event." Cook also said families were sometimes notified at the last minute about costs for travel and equipment.

Board members asked procedural questions about next steps. One board member asked how such complaints are handled; an administrator in the meeting said that "the superintendent would follow up with the athletic director or the principal" and that personnel matters are "sensitive," indicating such issues may be handled outside open session. Following public comment, the board voted to enter executive session for personnel at 6:26 p.m.

The meeting record provided no public statement of discipline or formal finding before adjournment. The board approved the motion to go into executive session (moved by Mr. Jackson; seconded by Mr. Medalla/Mandala) and later returned to open session and adjourned. The superintendent (name not stated in the record) said staff would inform parents of any follow-up.

The allegations raised during public comment concern school personnel and student safety. Board policy limits immediate board responses during public comment; the complaints were referred for follow-up by district staff and discussed in executive session, where personnel matters are handled out of public view. No formal personnel action or outcome was announced in open session.