Several members of the public addressed the board with their concerns, opposed to ending the investigation. I didn't know any of the people who spoke but some were very rude and disrespectable. One even telling the board chairman he should go back to delivering papers. Those who spoke are convinced they speak for everyone in Loudon County. They do not.

I know most of the board members had many contacts pertaining to Mr. Vance during this time, both in support and opposition. Those speaking at the meeting seem to want to ignore any voices that didn't agree with their opinion. Again, they seem to feel they represent every parent in the school system. They do not.

There were accusations made of nepotism, school board members family members, working for the school system, and that some how this influenced their vote in favor of ending the investigation. Maybe if they didn't vote in Vance's favor, their relative might be fired? People who think like this are just so uneducated about how the system works. I fully believe every board member voted their true convictions, certainly not concerned how it might effect a near or distant relative who works for the school system. Is the opposition so convinced of their position that they can't believe there are just as many, if not more, folks that support the board's decision to end the investigation than to continue it? As a foot note, the Loudon County School system is the largest employer in the county. There is a high likelihood that every board member could have an immediate or secondary relative working for the schools.    

Citizens made complaints, the board acted on those complaints. Citizens asked for an investigation, an investigation was conducted. Citizens asked for more investigation, more was done to see if further investigation was warranted. The majority of the board determined further investigation was unnecessary. If the board didn't end this at some point, it could go on for a long, long time. I said this before, some would not be happy unless Jason Vance was fired. None of the evidence showed cause for Vance's firing, yet some didn't care what the facts were.

Mr. Vance has stated many times that he could have and should have handled the initial situation in a better manner. Hindsight is 20/20 and there's no way to un-ring that bell. The investigation apparently shows that he did in fact mishandle the situation comingling his responsibilities as a director and a parent. According to what was said at the meeting, Mr. Vance will receive some form of reprimand as will Mr. Graves. This will not satisfy some. Nothing short of Vance's termination will suffice. But let me ask this question. If the report shows that Coach Graves did in fact violate the law by releasing the private communication from Mr. Vance, will those calling for justice call for Mr. Graves to be terminated also?

I've tried to keep an open mind to this whole matter and see what the facts say, without passion. Had the facts shown that Vance did in fact use his position to threatened to fire the coach if he didn't let his son play ball, I'd say he should be run out of town on a rail. That just hasn't been the case.

This has been a bad episode in one chapter of a very long book and in time will fade. What's done is done. Let's all move on now to make our school system the best it can be.

The initial report that has been held as attorney client, privileged information thus far is suppose to be released, with redactions, in the near future. I will post that report when available.