ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A cross-country coach at Timber Creek High School in Orange County is off the job amid a school district investigation.
Shari Bobinski, an Orange County Public Schools spokesperson, said the track coach has been relieved of duty with pay, but would not elaborate on what prompted the investigation into David Gardner.
News 6 has learned that the Department of Children and Families was involved, but that the investigation was not about the coach, but about the students.
Several sources close to the team told News 6 the investigation began after a team banquet off campus at a private home where sources say some upperclassman hazed at least one underclassman, poking him with a stick.
The coach suspended the team after learning of the incident, sources said.
A parent sent News 6 an email from the coach saying "an incident occurred last night that involved several of our cross country athletes. This incident is of a very serious nature and unfortunately can not be disclosed at this time until further investigation can be made by our administration."
DCF said it was notified of the incident on Sept. 25 and closed its case on Oct. 4. DCF officials said the allegations were "child on child," but can not publicize the result of their case.
Parents want answers that may not come anytime soon.
"I'm speechless because we didn't receive any information yet. I know about the first, the cheerleader coach, but this one, no," said Ivette Collazo, whose child goes to Timber Creek. "It's somebody who is working in the school with the kids. And kids come first, so I consider that they need to let us know."
This is the second Timber Creek employee in trouble in less than a week.
Cheerleading coach and history teacher Megan Urban was relieved of duty after a deputy pulled her over for swerving and found marijuana in her car on school property, according to authorities.
Parents were not informed about either case.
"Details of an employee investigations are not required to be broadcast to parents or the student body. Any and all details are private until the case is closed," Bobinski said last week.
The district's investigation into the cross-country coach's case remains open.