Investigation Summary for Milton High School
Coaching Supplement and Volunteer Issues
16-17, 17-18 and 18-19
Investigation conducted by:
Conni Carnley, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
David Gunter, Director of Labor Relations and Compliance
Liz West, Director of Human Resources
The reported allegations of coaching supplement and volunteer issues at Milton
High School can be summarized into the following categories:
A. A supplement approved and paid to an individual that performed no duties
associated with the assigned sports program.
B. Multiple supplements were approved and paid to the same individual for
the same sports program.
C. Boys and Girls programs in the same sport were given to one individual.
D. Violations of the Jessica Lunsford Act related to volunteer coaches working
with students without the proper clearance.
The process of investigating the allegations of inappropriate coaching
supplements being paid and possible volunteer issues resulting in violations of
the Jessica Lunsford Act began with identifying students that had participated in
the sports program in question and over multiple years where possible. The table
entitled “Coaching Supplement Concerns Milton High Schoo!” provides a
summary of the findings from the student interviews. The issues documented
were corroborated by multiple students that could speak directly to the issue first
hand through their participation in the program as an athlete. Following the
student interviews, interviews were conducted with the coaches involved in the
sports program in question. By reviewing the first-hand accounts of students and
comparing that information to the reports from the individuals receiving
supplements, the following findings can be reported with regards to items A-D
above:
A. A supplement approved and paid to an individual that performed no duties
associated with the assigned sports program.
Page 1 of 171. Tracy Worrell, Assistant Softball, 18-19, 17-18, 16-17 and 15-16. (Issue
number 7, 15, 25, 29).
a, Consistent with reports from students, staff and Worrell, Worrell’s
husband Danny Worrell had been part of the coaching staff with
the softball team and was working on a temporary coaching
certificate. His temporary certificate expired and he did not meet
the requirements to apply for a 5-year coaching certificate.
Danny Worrell continued in his coaching roll as a volunteer coach
and Tracy began receiving the supplement during the 15-16
school year. Tracy Worrell by her own admission did not actively
coach the team but had been approved for the supplement to
provide related program support services while her husband
Danny continued in his coaching role as a volunteer. When
questioned about his approval of the supplement for Tracey
Worrell, Tim Short, Principal, spoke to the fact that the process of
identifying Tracey Worrell to receive the softball supplement
vacated by Danny Worrell had already been determined when he
transitioned to MHS. The documentation associated with the
approval of the supplement for Tracey Worrell is signed on
8/22/16 by her and on 8/24/16 by Short with an effective date of
8/08/16. Short stated the determination and approval for the
supplement began under Mike Thorpe who was the principal at
MHS immediately preceding Short. Short confirmed Worrell had
no on-the-field coaching duties but her role provided needed
program support services defined by the head coach. Short was
specifically asked if the continued approval of Tracey Worrell was
a work-around for the fact that her husband failed to secure his
coaching certificate. Short replied that Benjie West, Assistant
Principal over athletics, and Murry Rutledge would have
knowledge and could speak to any work-around dealing with
coaching certification in this case since the issue had started prior
to his time as principal and was occurring during his transition
into his new position. Athletic Director Murry Rutledge had
knowledge of this arrangement and reported “Tracey Worrell’s
husband had been a coach and his certificate expired, so we
gave the supplement to Tracey for her husband to coach.”
Rutledge was not readily aware of what duties Tracey Worrell
performed in lieu of a specific coaching assignment. When
Page 2 of 17interviewed on related issues in the investigation, head softball
coach, Kevin Jordan, was also not initially aware of the change in
the assignment of the coaching supplement and stated it was a
year or so after it actually happened before Jordan knew Tracey
was the one receiving the supplement. Jordan did report that he
thought the assignment of the supplement to Tracey Worrell was
a work-around for the coaching certification issue with Danny
Worrell, but did go on to state that at no time was there a
situation where someone was paid for doing nothing. Jordan was
able to confirm the reports of Tracey Worrell being present at
every home and away game during the time in question. Jordan
also confirmed the reports from others that Worrell did indeed
provide the related support services for the program which
included but were not limited to supervision associated with the
game, working the gate for admission at home games,
coordinating and assisting with the operation of the concession
stand, and maintaining the sale and printing of the sponsor signs
in the outfield. Benji West, Assistant Principal over athletics, was
questioned about the awarding of a supplement to Tracey
Worrell to which he responded that it was a peculiar situation.
West reported that Danny Worrell had been part of a previous
coaching staff prior to his daughter entering the program and
wanted to continue to coach through the time his daughter was
playing. West confirmed that Danny Worrell had been coaching
on a temporary certificate that expired and he wanted to remain
coaching. West confirmed the various support services Tracey
Worrell provided the program and stated he was aware the
supplement was paid to Tracey Worrell as part of the continued
coaching services from Danny Worrell. When asked who
approved the supplement West stated he did not remember
exactly but thought Short had discussed the situation with Jason
Weeks, Director of High Schools, and sought approval from
Weeks. Weeks was questioned in order to clarify the
conversation as he remembered it taking place. Weeks recounted
that his conversation was with Rutledge. Weeks reported that in
the conversation with Rutledge it was conveyed by Rutledge that
Danny Worrell would continue in his capacity as a coach and be
processed as a volunteer coach while Tracey Worrell would
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