Resident alleges coach bullying and a cover-up by Lebanon City Schools administration

Juan Gonzalez, a Lebanon resident, told the Lebanon City Schools Board of Education that he has documented what he called "mental abuse and bullying" by coach Brian Kendall and accused district administrators of covering up the behavior.

"This is part 2 of, Brian Kendall, his mental abuse and bullying in the cover up by the administration," Gonzalez said during the public-comment period, adding that he has received phone calls from parents since his prior appearance and that his attempts to get the district to investigate have failed.

Gonzalez said athletic director Isaac Seaver led an investigation that, in his view, was incomplete: "Not 1 phone call in his investigation. Not 1 phone call to any of the people that I already let him know about. Not 1 phone call. Is this really an investigation?" He also called it a conflict of interest for Seaver to lead an inquiry that involved staff he supervises.

Board members did not take action on the allegation during the meeting. An attendee who identified themself later in the meeting disputed one of Gonzalez’s specific claims about being blocked from speaking, saying, "Isaac did not tell him that he would not be heard or that he was not allowed to speak to the board this evening." The presiding officer thanked that attendee for the clarification.

Gonzalez said he plans to seek media attention if he does not get a response from the district: "From here on, I'm going to the media with this. This needs attention." The board did not announce any follow-up or an investigatory next step during the public-comment item.

The allegation names coach Brian Kendall and athletic director Isaac Seaver; both are referenced in Gonzalez's remarks but did not speak during the public-comment period. The board’s subsequent business moved forward with scheduled reports and consent items.