School district accuses Michigan cheerleading coach of inappropriate behavior toward minors

(CBS-DETROIT) – A Michigan high school cheerleading coach is being investigated for alleged inappropriate behavior with a minor, school district officials said.

A Monroe High School cheerleading coach has been placed on leave at the end of the school year and has resigned because of the alleged conduct, Monroe Public Schools said in a statement Thursday.

The school district says rumors of this behavior began circulating in the fall and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation, but there is no credible evidence to support the rumors.

Later in the school year, the rumors surfaced again, and this time the Michigan State Police and Child Protective Services assisted the sheriff’s office in the investigation. However, no evidence was found.

On June 7, the school district said it received evidence “that the rumors may be true.”

The school administration contacted the sheriff’s office and the coach was placed on leave.

“Student welfare is our district’s highest priority and concerns of this nature are taken very seriously,” said Andrew Shaw, superintendent of Monroe Public Schools. “Our high school administration has taken appropriate steps each time rumors have surfaced and has conducted thorough investigations with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.”

The investigations are ongoing and will be reviewed by the public prosecutor’s office once they are completed.

“People want all the information before the investigation is complete and jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts or information,” Shaw said, asking the public to be patient while authorities investigate.

The high school’s other cheerleading coach also resigned.

With tryouts about to begin, Shaw wanted to inform the school community that new coaches have been hired for both positions.