Local News
Councilman asks that coach be fired
Superintendent says allegations against McCauley were dismissed
Kokomo City Councilman Kevin Summers asked the Kokomo School Board to fire boys basketball coach Brian McCauley at Monday’s meeting.
Summers alleged McCauley shoved his son, Colton, during a pickup game in August 2008, and then cut him from the team prior to this season as retaliation for Summers’ complaints against the coach.
Summers also alleged McCauley had violated school board policies regarding child abuse and neglect, staff ethics, student supervision and welfare, and student harassment. Summers is a former Kokomo School Board member.
Summers said he had given copies of a Child Protective Services report about the incident to Superintendent Christopher Himsel in 2008.
Himsel said the allegations were found to be unsubstantiated and dismissed by CPS.
Reached Monday night, McCauley had no comment, referring questions to Dave Barnes, the Kokomo-Center Schools public relations consultant.
Barnes said the school corporation investigated the incident both internally and externally, and found the claims to be unsubstantiated.
As for Kevin Summers’ request that McCauley be terminated from his job, Barnes said, “at this time there is no information that would warrant any type of action like that.”
Colton Summers also spoke, saying the coach began treating him differently after the August incident, and he went from starting varsity games last season to having less playing time.
Records show Colton started 11 of the team’s first 12 games before his playing time began to dwindle in late January. While still a member of the team, Summers did not attend Kokomo’s regional basketball game at Marion on March 14.
Colton Summers said he took the SAT the day of the regional, and when he chose that date, he could take the test either the day of the basketball or baseball regional. He said he chose the day of the basketball regional, thinking the baseball team was more likely to earn a regional berth.
During the 2008-2009 school year, the SAT was given Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6, Jan. 24, March 14, May 2 and June 6, according to www.eduplan.us, the Web site for a consulting firm that offers education planning services.
Board President Joe Dunbar stopped Colton, saying board rules allow members of the public to speak for three minutes.
Kevin Summers asked the board to suspend the rule, and board member Harold Canady moved to allow Colton to continue.
Cristi Brewer seconded the motion.
The board voted against suspending the rules, with Brewer and Canady casting the only votes in favor.
The board took no action.
• Danielle Rush is the Kokomo Tribune education reporter. She can be reached at 765-454-8585 or danielle.rush@kokomotribune.com.
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