TRENTON, Ohio — The athletic director for Edgewood Schools has returned to work after resigning as coach of the high school girls basketball team and serving a three-day suspension for misuse of a district credit card, using an unlicensed assistant coach and reacting to a student post on social media.
According to documents obtained exclusively by the Journal-News through an Ohio public records request, Athletic Director Greg Brown returned to his job after being ordered in November on paid administrative leave for allegations of violating district policies, including possible misconduct with a student.
MORE: Edgewood athletic director on leave after allegations of ‘misconduct’ involving student
Brown’s employment with the Butler County district is now governed by a “last chance agreement” between Brown and Edgewood school officials, according to documents in his personnel file.
That agreement, which he signed, ordered Brown – who also worked as a teacher for Edgewood Schools before becoming the district’s athletic director in 2016 – to serve a three-day, unpaid suspension Jan. 21-23.
He was also ordered to resign as girls basketball coach, which he did on Jan. 20.
In November, as first reported by the Journal-News, Brown was ordered on paid administration leave while the district investigated allegations of misconduct against him.
Among the latest allegations, he was also cited for posting a “like” on a personal photo placed by a student on social media.
MORE: Documents show new allegations for Edgewood athletic director
“Even though you claimed this action was inadvertent, in the least your action was careless and, according to the student, made the student feel uncomfortable,” stated a Jan. 23 written reprimand from Edgewood Schools Superintendent Russ Fussnecker.
The 52-year-old Brown, who earns $84,933 annually, did not respond to a message delivered to his office Wednesday seeking comment.
Checks with the Butler County Sheriff’s department have shown no current or past investigations of Brown.
Prior to these recent allegations, Brown’s personnel record and job performance reviews with the district were favorable, though he once was kept temporarily from teaching by state education officials after a falsification claim.
Brown’s current disciplinary actions have also been reported to the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Professional Conduct, and officials there may conduct their own investigation into the allegations submitted to the state office by Edgewood officials.
Those allegations were listed by Edgewood officials as being “that Mr. Brown engaged in unprofessional behavior involving a student, possible misuse of public funds and that he allowed a coach to work without proper licensure. The incidents took place from July 2019 until the end of November 2019.”
Fussnecker said of Brown in his written reprimand and notice of suspension on Jan. 23 that “your actions were irresponsible and unprofessional and fell far short of the level of performance that the board of education expects from our administrative staff.”
“It is both my and the board of education’s expectation that in the future you demonstrate professionalism, respect and proper regard for students at all times and that you demonstrate an ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students while employed with the board of education.
“It is further my expectation that you strictly comply with all board policies and procedures involving selection and appointment of qualified staff.
“Finally, it is my expectation that you strictly follow board-adopted purchasing and accounting procedures specifically for use of credit cards and more broadly during the oversight of any school funds that you are assigned to maintain.
“The district’s disciplinary action is a clear reflection of the seriousness by which the district views your infractions,” he wrote.
“If you engage in misconduct in the future or fail to strictly adhere to board policy, you will receive additional discipline up to and including termination of your employment.”
The Journal-News is a media partner of WCPO 9 News.
