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Fayetteville School District Releases Daryl Patton’s Resignation Letter

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — The Fayetteville School District released former high school football coach Daryl Patton’s resignation letter Monday (May 16)....
daryl patton

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — The Fayetteville School District released former high school football coach Daryl Patton’s resignation letter Monday (May 16).

Patton submitted the handwritten letter of resignation May 12.

The letter states:

To Whom It May Concern:

Effective at the end of my contract (June 31, 2016) I will be resigning my position of head football coach/teacher for personal/family issues. I need to spend time fixing problems with my family.

I would like to thank the Fayetteville Public Schools for their support over the past 13 years. We have had a lot of outstanding moments on the gridiron. I am sorry for the timing of this resignation and any embarrassment.

Sincerely,

Daryl Patton

Superintendent Dr. Paul Hewitt said Patton’s resignation was submitted voluntarily and he was not forced to resign.

On Friday, Hewitt also accepted resignation letters from Fayetteville High School Assistant Football Coach Lucius Selmon and Campus Services and Project Manager Patty Plummer.

Emails obtained by 5NEWS show Friday meetings between Hewitt and Selmon and Plummer were arranged May 11. The emails show Hewitt met with Plummer first and then an hour later he met with Selmon. Both were told they had the right to have a representative present because the meeting could result in disciplinary action.

To see the emails and Patton’s letter of resignation, click here.

The school district said it is investigating allegations that may have played a role in Patton’s resignation.

On Monday, Athletic Director Steve Janski also announced a search committee to find a new head football coach. The committee members will include:

  • Steve Janski, Director of Athletics, Fayetteville Public Schools: Janski is a former high school and college football coach and currently oversees 23 different teams for the Fayetteville Public Schools.
  • Chad Scott, Principal, Fayetteville High School: Scott is a former math teacher and coach and has lived in Fayetteville for 18 years.
  • John L Colbert, associate superintendent, Fayetteville Public Schools: Colbert is a former elementary principal and currently serves on the board of directors for the Arkansas Activities Association and Special Olympics of Arkansas.
  • Liz Caudle, teacher and coach, Fayetteville High School: Caudle has worked in the Fayetteville Public Schools for six years and teaches secondary science at FHS while also coaching multiple girls’ sports.
  • Michael Brisiel, former FHS football player: Brisiel recently retired to Fayetteville from the National Football League after eight seasons with the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders. He is a graduate of Colorado State University and a 2001 graduate of Fayetteville High School.
  • Neil Shipley, former FHS football player: Shipley is a local business owner and president of the FHS Football Booster Club. He is a Fayetteville native, local business owner, and the parent of a current FHS football player.

The committee is accepting resumes and plans to begin interviewing candidates on June 1.

The committee will recommend a finalist or finalists to incoming Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wendt.

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