Local
Fletcher volleyball coach removed while Duval schools investigate student-athlete conduct
Duval County Public Schools says it is investigating reports of unsupervised and inappropriate behavior involving Fletcher High School volleyball players, both on and off campus. The coach has been removed from the position while the district also examines concerns involving the coach.
Duval County Public Schools has removed Fletcher High School’s girls volleyball coach while it investigates reports of unsupervised and inappropriate behavior involving student-athletes, the district said Thursday, Oct. 15.
The school’s principal, Ledford, met Wednesday with volleyball players and their families to discuss the investigation, according to a district statement. The reported conduct allegedly occurred both on and off campus. The district said disciplinary measures are being taken under the student code of conduct.
DCPS said it is separately investigating concerns involving the team’s former coach, who has been removed from the role during the inquiry. The district has not described the alleged behavior or the concerns involving the coach, saying it could not provide further details while the investigation is active.
The district confirmed Tuesday that it was investigating reports of unsupervised activities involving Fletcher student-athletes and said it would take appropriate action after the inquiry concludes. Principal Ledford will continue communicating with affected students and families, the district said.
The investigation has raised concerns among some parents. One parent, whose son had recently enrolled at Fletcher after attending school virtually, said she was worried about his transition and the possibility of bullying. She said Fletcher’s strong academic reputation had influenced the decision to enroll him, but the investigation had made bullying a greater concern.
The district has not announced a timeline for completing the investigation.