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Parents, students and staff urge AISD board not to terminate Griskey coach; callers ask for full investigation
Summary
Dozens of in-person and recorded commenters told the board the athletic coach at Griskey Middle School has a long record of positive impact and called for a thorough, unbiased investigation before any termination vote on agenda item 14.1.
Austin — Dozens of parents, students, coaches and staff packed the board room May 21 and delivered public testimony urging Austin Independent School District trustees not to terminate a Griskey Middle School athletic coach listed on agenda item 14.1.
The early testimony set a clear tone: speakers described long-term relationships with the coach, recounted daily evidence of professionalism and mentorship, and asked trustees to consider alleged procedural failings in the district’s investigation. "The information this district is going to present to you in closed session as cause to terminate my husband is completely false, and we can prove his innocence," said Jill Neary, a Highland Park Elementary teacher who identified herself as the spouse of the employee referenced in the agenda. Neary asked trustees not to vote to terminate without considering grievances her family has filed alleging harassment and retaliatory behavior by a campus principal.
Other commenters — from booster-club presidents to current and former students — described the coach as "patient and kind," credited him with building confidence and character, and said they had never observed impairment or unprofessional conduct. "He has stood apart," Melissa Purdue, who said she serves as president of the Griskey Athletics Booster Club, told trustees. Students who had played for the coach described him as a mentor who helped them through tough seasons.
Medical and procedural concerns: A nurse practitioner who reviewed evidence presented in a district testing process said there was a "high probability of a false positive reading" and raised questions about vendor selection and possible conflicts of interest. "It is in my medical opinion that [the coach] is falsely accused," Candace Escobedo said.
Board procedure and next steps: The district had two personnel items related to termination pulled from the consent agenda for separate votes; the superintendent indicated the personnel matters would be discussed in executive session. President Boswell concluded public testimony at roughly 8:01 p.m. and the board recessed briefly before starting the superintendent's report. The personnel item tied to the coach (14.1) was reserved for action after executive session.
What’s next: Because the board moved into executive session at the end of the open meeting, trustees did not act on 14.1 in public; the board announced it would return to the open session to take separate action on item 14.1 after executive session. Public commenters repeatedly urged trustees to delay any public vote until the investigation and any counter-evidence could be reviewed in full.
