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DISTRICT PROBES ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT
PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR HIRED TO LOOK INTO FIRING OF ELSIE ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL TRACK COACH

BYLINE: By BRUCE MEADOWS
DATE: Wednesday, May 19, 2004
PAGE: C1


The Santa Rosa School District is investigating allegations of
misconduct against Darryl Beardall, the Elsie Allen High School track coach
fired last week after he suspended a star sprinter.
Private investigator Chris Reynolds said Tuesday that he has been hired
to determine if Beardall had used ``inappropriate conduct'' and engaged in
``retaliatory behavior'' toward athlete Whitney Leachman prior to his
dismissal.
The allegations, made in a complaint to the district by Leachman's
family, shed new light on the May 10 dismissal that has galvanized the
coaching community, with many coming to Beardall's defense.
Beardall, 67, said last week that he was given no reason for the firing,
but that he was convinced it stemmed from his decision to drop Leachman
from the team for failing to attend a mandatory practice and team meeting.
Elsie Allen principal Mary Gail Stablein and other district officials
refused last week to explain her firing of the coach, but the school
quickly reinstated Leachman. She competed in the North Bay League
championships on Friday, winning the 100 and 200 meter sprints in
meet-record times.
Letters to the editor and e-mails to the school district have generally
been critical of the dismissal, with critics accusing the school of failing
to back up the coach in disciplinary conflict with a star athlete.
On Tuesday though, the district's view of events began to emerge.
Superintendent Mel Solie issued a brief written statement saying the firing
was justified, schools' attorney Robert Henry confirmed that a complaint
had been filed by the family and that an investigation was underway, and
private investigator Reynolds gave a brief description of the inquiry into
Beardall's conduct.
The allegations were brought to the attention of the superintendent on
May 10 and Beardall was fired the same day. The district also quickly hired
Reynolds.
``It was a decision by the superintendent to gather accurate information
about what took place,'' said Santa Rosa school board member Frank Pugh.
Pugh said that the investigation either would validate the decision to
fire the coach or show a need to improve on the district's policy.
``We have to review everything that took place in this regard,'' Pugh
said. ``Sometimes it is important to have everything looked at with fresh
eyes, fairly and objectively.''
Reynolds said the ``inappropriate conduct'' allegation includes comments
made by Beardall to Leachman, which he declined to specify. The
``retaliatory behavior'' stems from allegations that Beardall dropped
Leachman from the roster for an upcoming meet -- the third suspension from
the team this season -- because he blamed her boyfriend for vandalism done
to his car on campus.
Beardall, a distance running legend in the region who has many years of
coaching experience, denied Tuesday that he had engaged in inappropriate
language and repeated his statement that he dropped Leachman from the meet
only because she violated team rules.
However, he said he believes the vandalism to his car is related to the
coaching conflict. He said the school's failure to give him tape from
surveillance cameras is a sign of a cover-up.
``I just want somebody to pay for my car,'' said Beardall, who has a
repair bill for $2,770.
Leachman's mother, Felicia Funkhouser, on Tuesday continued to decline
comment on the details of the situation. She said she and her daughter will
explain the situation this week.
Reynolds said his investigation, which could take 30 to 60 days, would
include interviews with coaches, teachers, athletic directors,
administrative personnel and students. He will present his findings to the
school district.
``The family would then have the opportunity to read it and find out
what happened,'' said Reynolds. ``If this can't be resolved to their
satisfaction, they can pursue litigation.''
Henry, general counsel for the district, said that Beardall is an
at-will, walk-on employee and has few of the rights of permanent employees.
``The California education code says an at-will employee can be let go
for any or no reason,'' said Henry. The only exceptions, he said, are
dismissals because of age, race, gender or made as a form of retaliation.
Henry also said that the refusals by Stablein and others to explain the
reasons for the firing are in accordance with district practice.
``Half a dozen times a year I give advice to the district that when you
make a personnel decision, do not make public comments,'' he said. ``We do
this to avoid lawsuits ... it's pretty standard around the state.''
Superintendent Solie's written statement Tuesday ended a week of silence
from him on the subject. ``While respecting the privacy of both student and
employee records, the district wants to assure the public that its decision
with respect to Darryl Beardall, walk-on coach at Elsie Allen, was not
arbitrary.
``In light of information available to the district, the action taken to
relieve the track coach at Elsie Allen High School was appropriate and made
after careful consideration.''
Solie, who didn't return calls to his office Tuesday, also referred to
``negative, and in some cases, harassing e-mails'' received by the
district.
Henry said the school district could release details of the dismissal if
Beardall signed a waiver of his privacy rights.
``If he does that, either by himself or through an attorney, the
district would consider making the reasons public,'' said Henry. ``The
waiver basically protects the district against a lawsuit.''
Beardall said he might do that. ``I have nothing to hide,'' he said.
You can reach Staff Writer Bruce Meadows at 521-5263 or e-mail
bmeadows@pressdemocrat.com.
Staff Writer Randi Rossmann contributed to this report.
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