7/25/2019 Letter of Reprimand for Gowan

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Leon County Schools does not discriminate against any person on the basis of gender, mar ital status, sexual or ientati on, race,

religion, national origin, age, or disability.

Lawton hiles High School

"Cognosco, Duco, Perficio" - "I learn, I lead, I achieve"

Mr. Joseph L. Burgess, PrincipalMs. Calli Pickens, Assistant Principal

Mr. John P. Swope, Assistant PrincipalMr. Jeff Lightfoot, Assistant Principal

Mr. Michael Lassiter, Dean of Students

Memorandum

TO: Scott Gowan

2922 Foxcroft Dr.Tallahassee, Fl 32309

FROM: Joseph L. Burgess; Principal

DATE: 10-8-15

SUBJECT: Letter of Reprimand; Violation of School Board Policy 4210 (A and C)

Mr. Gowan,

This letter is to follow up on our meeting from August 13, 17, 20, and most recently from of

October 7, 2015. In each of these meetings we reviewed the complaints and allegations madeagainst you regarding an incident that took place on the evening of August 12, 2015 at theTexas Roadhouse Restaurant and previous matters of the program. There were variouscomplaints that included, harassment, bullying, public humiliation, unfair treatment, emotionalstress, and coercion. To give this level of complaint and allegation its full review, you weresubsequently placed on paid administrative leave. During that time a neutral Equity Officer forthe district conducted an investigation in conjunction with the school, reviewing witnessstatements and accounts of all parties involved and presenting those findings to me and theSuperintendent. This process has been thorough and given due diligence the Equity Officerand me.

After reflecting on this incident and making note of my investigative findings and the separate

notice of final action provided by the Equity Officer, I have determined that it is essential to yoursuccess as an educator that I issue you this letter of reprimand. From my findings and that ofthe Equity Officer, you did enter the restaurant to confront the complainant about thedisingenuous communications with you that day about why a scheduled practice had beenmissed. Furthermore, proper review of activities beyond sporting activities should have beengiven consideration and counsel prior to this incident, thus avoiding this potential situationaltogether.

As our coach, you have a right and duty to review the conduct and actions of student-athletesleft in your charge but your communications with them have a proper venue for that at school. Ifind your action on that day to unbecoming of an educator. You are expected to control yourbehavior in or out of school, especially when it involves interactions with students. Theseencounters must be done with tact and care as you are a professional educator in a position ofpublic trust.

Any further actions that constitute this level of action by me or other supervisors at Chiles willresult in your immediate removal as a coach for any sport on campus. Please understand, anysubsequent actions would not only have you losing your position as a Coach but jeopardizeyour ability to work as an educator in any public institution.

7/25/2019 Letter of Reprimand for Gowan

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Leon County Schools does not discriminate against any person on the basis of gender, mar ital status, sexual or ientati on, race,

religion, national origin, age, or disability.

Lawton hiles High School

"Cognosco, Duco, Perficio" - "I learn, I lead, I achieve"

Mr. Joseph L. Burgess, PrincipalMs. Calli Pickens, Assistant Principal

Mr. John P. Swope, Assistant PrincipalMr. Jeff Lightfoot, Assistant Principal

Mr. Michael Lassiter, Dean of Students

It will be your responsibility over the next few weeks, through this year and in perpetuity movingforward to work on improving your behavior, attitude, and program. Your most important role in

this process is focusing on becoming a better leader and learning from this experience as yourability to coach is a privilege. In understanding that you are role model and you must work tofoster better communication strategies and build relationships. This strategy is not just with thestudents but with their parents, your colleagues, and the administration. The administrative staffand I are committed to providing you the best opportunity for you to be successful in thisprocess and in your career. In an effort to ensure that you are aware of items requiringimmediate or subsequent implementation on your part, I am emphasizing them as follows:

Refer yourself to the Employee Assistance Program with fidelity. Your focus should beon interpersonal relationships and effective communication strategies.

Create and maintain a handbook for any team you are Head Coach. The handbookshould cover every area encountered in a sports program. Within those areas there

should be clear expectations for both students and parents. Furthermore there shouldbe a system of reward, consequence or action plans for student behavior.

A fully staffed coaching unit for any sport you are the Head Coach. My preference isthat you include a female and someone under the age of 30 to make sure there aresupervising parties that athletes may have a better rapport in understanding their needs.

Provide a detailed action-plan to administration to accommodate the requests within thisletter of reprimand to ensure that strategies will be implemented with fidelity.

You are an educator with nearly 30 years of experience and recognized as a Hall of FameCoach from your coaching peers at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA). I havethe highest confidence that you will fulfill the requirements put before you. I also know that youwill grow from this experience while continuing to be a contributing member to this school and

community. This school cannot succeed without everyone working together to achieve ourdesired goals.

Sincerely,

Joseph L. BurgessPrincipal

Cc: Jackie Pons, SuperintendentDr. Marvin Henderson, Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Randy Pridgeon, Director of Secondary SchoolsDr. Kathleen Rodgers, Directory of Intervention, Equity and Support ServicesVi Dennis, Director of PersonnelJohn Hunkiar, Chief of Safety & SecurityDave Clark, Director of Labor RelationsRicky Bell, County Athletic DirectorMike Eto, Chiles High Athletic Director