The board was given the results of the first investigation at a meeting just two weeks ago which, by board member statements at that meeting, found there were no actions by Vance that would warrant his dismissal. Apparently, dissatisfied with that outcome, some board members pressed to expand the investigation if other relevant issues concerning Vance's actions were found that should be investigated. The majority of the board agreed to expand the investigation and that board members would submit issues they felt required further investigation relevant to Vance's actions and contract.

Several board members submitted additional questions/information to the lawyer performing the investigation for the expanded investigation. Statements by board members at Friday's meeting strongly suggested the additional questions/information submitted were mostly irrelevant to anything that would impact the director's contract. Apparently, some of the information provided included family relationships between board members and school employees. Board members were also advised that the expanded investigation would take some time and could cost an additional seventy or eighty thousand dollars.

Ultimately, board member William Jenkins, made the motion to accept the original recommendation from the first investigation, and not to continue with any further investigations. His motion was seconded by Bobby Johnson Jr. Voting for the motion were, Jenkins, Johnson, Phil Moffet, Craig Simon, Zach Cusick and Gary Ubben. Voting no were board members Scott Newman, Brian Brown and Kim Bridges.

The recommendation from that first investigation included that both Mr. Vance and basketball coach, Josh Graves, be given written reprimands for their actions according to what board members stated at the meeting.

Thus ends the investigation.

The investigation report and recommendations should be released, with redactions, this week. I'll post when available.

Investigation into Loudon County director of schools wraps up, but report not public yet

knoxnews.com-The Loudon County Board of Education has ended its investigation into the director of schools, who had been accused of bullying a staff member, and the findings could become public next week.

The investigation into Jason Vance began in January after concerns were brought to the board about Vance's treatment of the Loudon High School basketball coach, Josh Graves. The board indicated Vance — who attended the meeting but did not speak — could be placed on a corrective action plan.

Board member Scott Newman told the News Sentinel at the time Vance was upset after a spot on the basketball team was given to a player returning after recovering from an injury. Because of that, Vance's son and several other team members were not allowed to play. 

Newman said Vance sent an email to Graves, along with Loudon High's principal and athletic director about the dispute.

Too costly to continue

At Friday's meeting, several board members said continuing and broadening the investigation would be too costly and would be without cause. Board Chair Craig Simon said if the investigation continued, the board could end up spending "six figures ... getting into seven figures," based on estimates from legal counsel. 

Three board members voted against ending the investigation: Newman, Brian Brown and Kim Bridges. 

A report has been compiled on Vance's treatment of Graves. Part of the report includes a corrective action plan for Vance. Simon said Vance will be required to follow that plan.

The report was not available at the time of the meeting, but board members said they would work to release it to the public in the next few days. 

'Money over ethics'

After the meeting Friday, Graves' wife said she was disappointed in the way the investigation had been handled, and she feared her husband's job would be in jeopardy. 

"I'm just very disappointed that they're choosing money over ethics," Lindsay Graves said. 

Graves said she worries that without a full investigation into Vance, "it will be worse" for teachers in Loudon County. 

Concerns were raised in January

Supporters of Josh Graves showed up at the January Board of Education meeting and at least eight people raised concerns about Graves' treatment, according to the meeting's minutes. 

At the January meeting, Newman suggested another meeting in closed session to discuss the situation and start an investigation. 

Vance addressed some of the concerns at that meeting and also posted a statement on Twitter. Vance denied in the statement he had bullied Graves and said the two had agreed to move on. 

"There are several rumors that I have told the coach which kids to play or which kids to dress out for games," Vance wrote. "I have also heard rumors that I bullied the coach. It has been about 30 days since the last time I spoke to Coach Graves directly and at that meeting we shook hands and agreed that we would move forward ... those rumors are completely inaccurate and unfounded."

Body-camera video raises more concerns

Additional complaints about Vance and the scope of the investigation arose at a later board meeting. Body-camera video from a Loudon High School resource officer was brought up, in which Vance can be seen questioning the officer about pulling Vance's son out of class. It's not clear from the conversation why the son was pulled out of class. 

"I'm not threatening you," Vance says in the video, which the News Sentinel obtained from the Loudon County Sheriff's Office.

"I'm not mad at you," Vance later adds. "I am upset about the process ... I do want to make sure that everybody ... understood that I'm not happy about the way my kid's being treated right now."

The scope of the investigation was also asked to be expanded at the February meeting to include more actions by Vance. Because the investigation was ended, other incidents will not be investigated. 

Parents disappointed

Newman said he thought the board should continue its investigation in order to get "everything out in the open" and address all concerns that were brought before the board. Newman said he felt like the school system hadn't delivered what people asked for. 

"I think we lost a lot of credibility," he said after the meeting. 

Charmin Collis, a Loudon County parent, said she was disappointed the investigation was closed. 

"My main concern is that they just said there's no consequences for certain people on this board," Collis said.

She said Friday's meeting confirmed her suspicions.

"(Vance) thinks he's unstoppable," Collis said after the meeting. "And (the board) doesn't think they can stop him."