Michigan HS Athletic Director Resigns Amid Investigation Into Possible Retaliation Against Parents

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A Michigan high school athletic director has resigned amid an investigation into allegations that he retaliated against parents who took issue with their kids being ejected from a volleyball game. 

According to ABC12, Steve Irelan has been under investigation since October after he removed a group of students from a volleyball game, accusing them at the time of being obnoxious during a game. 

A parent of one of the students accused Irelan of bulluying and targeting their child during the incident. Both superintendent Steve Brooks and Ireland declined several requests to meet with the parents. 

Brooks said that during that time, Irelan took unspecified action in his duties as athletic director that could be construed as retaliation against the parents. The district placed Irelan on paid leave while legal counsel investigated the matter.

Investigators found no evidence that Irelan bullied or targeted any of the students. However, the district imposed unspecified discipline against Irelan for the appearance of retaliation toward the parents. 

Ireland eventually negotiated a separation agreement with the school district, leaving his position as part of that agreement. 

Owosso Public Schools began seeking applications for the athletic director position last week and administrators are organizing a committee to conduct interviews with applicants, but no timeline was announced for the hiring of a new athletic director. 


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