Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that board member Kellie Patterson notified police of the alleged incident on Nov. 7.
Legal counsel for Cuyahoga Falls City Schools is investigating whether the softball coach had an inappropriate relationship with one of her players, reportedly a minor at the time.
Superintendent Todd Nichols placed Kori Brown on paid leave earlier this month. Nichols said the school board’s attorneys are looking into the “alleged inappropriate relationship with a student player.”
“We have found no evidence of criminal activity at this state,” Nichols said.
Board member Kellie Patterson isn’t satisfied with the private investigation. Nichols, she said, should have alerted the authorities sooner.
“I’m really upset about how it’s been handled,” said Patterson. “This is something that should have been handed to the police instead of having the board’s attorney investigate it.”
Patterson, who was ousted by voters at the polls this month, said it was her statutory duty to inform Cuyahoga Falls police of the matter, which she said she did on Nov. 7, the day after Nichols called each board member to explain why he had suspended Brown.
Patterson spoke with the police regarding what she said may amount to sexual battery under Ohio law. “This girl in the meantime has turned 18,” Patterson noted.
Nichols said he relieved Brown, a physical education teacher at Preston elementary and a softball coach since 2012, of her duties the day the allegation was “brought to our attention.” He would not elaborate on how the matter was reported or when the investigation might conclude.
“I haven’t put a time frame on it,” Nichols said. “We are going to investigate until we feel there is evidence to substantiate the allegation or there isn’t.”
Attempts to reach Brown on Monday were unsuccessful.
Doug Livingston can be reached at 330-996-3792 or dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @DougLivingstonABJ.