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School district officials question policy
District severs ties with man arrested on drug charges.
By TONY BRITT
tbritt@lakecityreporter.com
FORT WHITE — The weekend arrest of longtime Fort White volunteer coach has prompted school district officials to question the district’s volunteer policy and requirements.
Thomas Patrick Daniels, 55, 6260 SW County Road 131 (SW Tustenuggee Avenue) was arrested Sunday after Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies allegedly found controlled substances in his home. Although he was charged with possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, Daniels was released on bond from Columbia County Jail on Monday.
According to Columbia Schools’ Superintendent Mike Millikin, Daniels has been a dedicated and longtime Fort White athletics program supporter. Millikin said Daniels was known to support the school’s middle school football program on a voluntary basis — even when the school didn’t even have high school football.
However, school district officials say Daniels’ recent arrest has ended his stint as a district volunteer.
Fort White High School principal Keith Hatcher said Daniels will not be allowed to travel with the team to Friday night’s state playoff game in Pensacola.
“I immediately called him (Daniels) and left a voice message and I haven’t heard back from him,” Hatcher said during a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. “As of right now, his status as volunteer has been terminated. All the coaches were made aware of the situation yesterday (Wednesday) and he won’t have any additional contact with the children. Any contact he’s had with the children in the past has been under the supervision of school district employees.”
Millikin said Daniels would not be allowed on the sidelines with the players during the game, but Millikin noted he has no jurisdiction over a football field in Pensacola and there are no rules or regulations barring Daniels from purchasing a ticket to attend the game.
Hatcher said school officials won’t launch a separate investigation into the arrest. He said Daniels’ involvement was mainly with the junior varsity team and any conversations about the arrest with varsity players was not made until the arrest became public knowledge.
Hatcher said Daniels arrest has been discussed among coaches. He said he talked with the athletic director Wednesday and the athletic director spoke with
(football) coaches Wednesday night after practice regarding the incident.
“We take things like this very seriously,” Hatcher said. “His (Daniels) involvement with the varsity team is on a limited basis. This is very tragic and we’re going to make sure he has no more contact with our players.”
Thomas Patrick Daniels, 55, 6260 SW County Road 131 (SW Tustenuggee Avenue) was arrested Sunday after Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies allegedly found controlled substances in his home. Although he was charged with possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, Daniels was released on bond from Columbia County Jail on Monday.
According to Columbia Schools’ Superintendent Mike Millikin, Daniels has been a dedicated and longtime Fort White athletics program supporter. Millikin said Daniels was known to support the school’s middle school football program on a voluntary basis — even when the school didn’t even have high school football.
However, school district officials say Daniels’ recent arrest has ended his stint as a district volunteer.
Fort White High School principal Keith Hatcher said Daniels will not be allowed to travel with the team to Friday night’s state playoff game in Pensacola.
“I immediately called him (Daniels) and left a voice message and I haven’t heard back from him,” Hatcher said during a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. “As of right now, his status as volunteer has been terminated. All the coaches were made aware of the situation yesterday (Wednesday) and he won’t have any additional contact with the children. Any contact he’s had with the children in the past has been under the supervision of school district employees.”
Millikin said Daniels would not be allowed on the sidelines with the players during the game, but Millikin noted he has no jurisdiction over a football field in Pensacola and there are no rules or regulations barring Daniels from purchasing a ticket to attend the game.
Hatcher said school officials won’t launch a separate investigation into the arrest. He said Daniels’ involvement was mainly with the junior varsity team and any conversations about the arrest with varsity players was not made until the arrest became public knowledge.
Hatcher said Daniels arrest has been discussed among coaches. He said he talked with the athletic director Wednesday and the athletic director spoke with
(football) coaches Wednesday night after practice regarding the incident.
“We take things like this very seriously,” Hatcher said. “His (Daniels) involvement with the varsity team is on a limited basis. This is very tragic and we’re going to make sure he has no more contact with our players.”
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sounding bitter wrote on Nov 21, 2008 10:27 AM: