ROME – Fairland Board of Education members suspended high school girls’ basketball coach Jack Harris without pay and voted to begin procedures to fire the former head football coach at Wednesday’s special meeting pending further investigation into allegations about improper conduct with his players.

Thursday, May 25, 2000

ROME – Fairland Board of Education members suspended high school girls’ basketball coach Jack Harris without pay and voted to begin procedures to fire the former head football coach at Wednesday’s special meeting pending further investigation into allegations about improper conduct with his players.

Board members did not renew Jack Harris’ girls basketball coaching contract and voted to suspend his teaching position with pay at an April meeting.

"The board passed a resolution to suspend Mr. Harris without pay until the matter is resolved," Superintendent Jerry McConnell said. "The next step would be a hearing where all parties will have an opportunity to bring witnesses forward."

Harris has 10 days to request a hearing, which he will do, said board representative Bob Cross of Cross Management Consulting.

"He has 10 days from the time the board passes a motion to request a hearing either before the board or a referee," Cross said. "His attorneys have informed me they would request a hearing before a referee."

Harris’ attorneys also have indicated that the hearing will be open to the public, Cross added.

This matter will not be resolved until the next school year, however, he said.

Ohio law says that a school district cannot compel a teacher to have a hearing during the summer months, Cross said.

"This won’t be cleared up until August," Cross said. "I was given the impression by Harris’ attorneys that they would not hold a hearing during the summer and that is their right."

Depending on how the hearing goes, Harris could remain a suspended board employee into late fall.

"Once the referee has the hearing, he must notify the board within 10 days of closing the hearing," Cross said. "However, the hearing could end Aug. 30, but the referee might not close the hearing until Sept. 30."

Stephanie Fisher, whose daughter played basketball for Harris, is pleased the board members are moving forward, but would prefer the matter to be over.

"They’re doing what they have to do," Mrs. Fisher said. "It’s the board’s procedure. I just want it done so he can’t come back."

The hearing, which will be scheduled by a referee chosen by Harris and board members, will allow both sides to present evidence and witnesses to determine whether or not Harris was involved in the inappropriate use of curse words during basketball practice and the playing of a sexually-explicit song.

This is the second time board members have decided to begin procedures to fire Harris.

In 1998, board members investigated Harris’ behavior at an end-of-the-school-year party after receiving complaints from parents. At that time, Harris coached both football and girls basketball. He was suspended from his duties for one year before being rehired.

Harris has been employed with the Fairland School District for more than 20 years. In the three years he has coached girls basketball, the team has brought home three Ohio Valley Conference titles.