FOOTBALL: Ohio Department of Education drops investigation into St. Marys coaching staff stemming from allegations prior to last season.
— EveningLeader Sports (@EL_Sports1) April 26, 2017
(4-27-17) According to a Tweet by the St. Marys Evening Leader the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has dropped it’s investigation into the St. Marys football coaching staff stemming from allegations from five former players and two parents last season.
In an email reply from St. Marys School Superintendent Howard Overman on the Tweet:
What is stated above is all I know. ODE will not contact the school only the individuals involved. Hopefully this will clear the air for the coaches and the football program.
ODE’s Brittany Halpin – Associate Director for Media Relations, Office of Communications & Outreach statement on the situation:
The Department is not able to confirm nor deny investigations. In addition, per Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.311 and Ohio Administrative Code Section 3301-73-04(A)-(G), all information obtained during an investigation is confidential and is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code except as provided in paragraphs (B) to (H) of the rule.
Any disciplinary actions taken against educators are added to our online educator conduct database and can be searched here:
The civil rights lawsuit (Case #: 3:16-cv-01665 ) was filed on June 29, 2016 in the Ohio Northern District Court and is a separate issue than the ODE ruling.
Frye led the Roughriders to a tri-championship in the Western Buckeye League (8-1) this past fall and a play-off berth, losing to Trotwood-Madsion 34-27 in a Region Final, and finishing the season at 11-2.
Frye will be coaching the Division I-III South team this week in the Ohio HS Football Coaches Association North-South game this week in Massillon:
“I think we have a great area for sports and support of sports. It says a lot about the community. It says a lot about the parents and it says a lot of about the coaching these kids are getting.”
Related information:
- Timeline of Court Case in Ohio Northern District Court
- Court Filed Complaints
- Court Exhibits
- 2015 Consent Agreement – Ohio Department of Education Document
- Former players file federal lawsuit against coaches. other St. Marys City School District officials