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COLLINS CONNER and BARBARA BEHRENDTSchool officials say they'll ask the School Board attorney to look into the Times' allegations against Crystal River High baseball coach Brent Hall.
INVERNESS - All five School Board members said Monday that they wanted a thorough investigation of Crystal River High School baseball coach Brent Hall before granting him tenure.
In fact, two investigations were discussed Monday.
Superintendent David Hickey said he had already begun a review of Hall's conduct; he is seeking assistance from the Florida High School Activities Association. Meantime, several board members told the St. Petersburg Times that they wanted board attorney Richard "Spike" Fitzpatrick to review Hall's conduct.
The comments came after board members read in Sunday's Times that Hall may have violated district policy, ethics rules and the FHSAA regulations.
Hickey and the board members also expressed concerns over the conduct of Crystal River principal Steve Myers, Hall's supervisor.
The Times articles described Hall's use of a Cadillac provided to him free of charge by Crystal River car dealer Kevin Schrantz, Hall's use of his players to drum up customers for his personal business, and possible violations of FHSAA rules against Christmas baseball camps and recruiting players from other schools.
The Times described conversations that Hall had with two students about transferring to Crystal River, which could violate the FHSAA rules against recruiting. In a letter to the Times and school officials, the father of one of those students said the newspaper had misquoted him and compared the story to "the Salem Witch Hunt."
The articles also described the continued spending disparity between the school's baseball and softball programs, which violates federal equity laws, and Myers' failure to report to the School Board some $20,000 in donated baseball improvements, which violates district policy.
Hall has denied breaking any rules. Myers has said the spending inequity was corrected after Hall's first year, and he disputed the Times' calculations. "If the allegations of the St. Petersburg Times are correct, we have serious problems at Crystal River High School, which could have an extremely detrimental impact on the students there," board member Patience Nave said.
"I believe my responsibility as a School Board member is to call for a careful investigation of any violations that have occurred in matters of ethics, equity, improper receipt of use of funds and lack of understanding on the part of either Crystal River principal Steve Myers or coach Brent Hall concerning their roles of responsibility, their actions and the limits of their authority," Nave said.
Laura Wingate, the school's softball coach during Hall's first year there, said she was very disturbed by the lopsided spending.
"I've been waiting for this to come out for the last two years," said Wingate, who still teaches at Crystal River but no longer coaches softball. "I knew it would happen sooner or later."
In Hall's first year, the baseball program spent about $75,000 in cash and donated supplies; Wingate's softball program spent $8,000. Hall said he told Wingate he would help her raise funds so her program could have more supplies and uniforms, too, but that she had rejected his assistance.
However, Wingate said Hall and school administrators came to her midway through the year, asking her to hold additional fundraisers.
She said she refused to change the fundraising schedule her students had already begun. "They spent all this money and then they're looking at me, saying "What are you going to do about it?' " Wingate said. "I said, "You created the problem, you solve the problem.' "
Nave said she was concerned about Hall's use of the $40,000 Cadillac, which could be a violation of the educator's Code of Ethics, which prohibits teachers from accepting gifts that could influence their judgment.
"Why did this man who has tremendous responsibility for children not know our own Code of Ethics?" Nave asked. "Is it true that he didn't realize that there were certain things you could not do?"
Schrantz said Monday that Hall has had the free use of cars from his dealership for two years, but did not use the Cadillac that entire time. "He has also had Toyotas, Camrys and other cars," Schrantz said, noting that he periodically rotated the car Hall used.
He reiterated that his loan of a vehicle to Hall was not related to his son's membership on the school's baseball team.
Nave also asked why Myers reported some donations, but not the $20,000 sprinkler system for the baseball field. Board policy requires that all donations over $500 be accepted by the board.
Nave said she was prepared to delay the vote on Hall's tenure and call for an investigation by Fitzpatrick.
Board chairwoman Sandra "Sam" Himmel said she got phone calls supporting Hall and calls questioning his conduct.
"The school system needs to do a thorough investigation," board member Pat Deutschman said. "I think it would be appropriate to look into all of these allegations."
She said she'd rely on Fitzpatrick to provide the board with guidance on how to proceed.
Since Hall's tenure was already recommended, he may have a vested right to the tenured position.
"I'm definitely concerned," said board member Lou Miele, who also supported an investigation into the school.
"I'm not comfortable with granting someone tenure until I know more. We need to have the answers first."
- Collins Conner can be reached tollfree at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6243 or conner@sptimes.com Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or 564-3621.