Findings of 'Hoodlum” or “hoodrat' incident at VHS released

VERNON — Vernon High School’s principal has released her findings and recommendations for discipline in an incident involving the school’s cheerleading coach, a cheerleader and the cheerleader’s cousin and whether the term “hood rat” was used.

“On Tuesday, Dec. 1, an incident happened in they gym lobby between a cheerleader and her cousin,” Vernon Principal McCrary wrote in her report, released last week. “The cousin was teasing the cheerleader by flipping her skirt, the cheerleader hit her and the cousin got her in a choking position with her hands around her neck.”

She reported that this is when cheerleaders coach Amanda Rogers tried to neutralize the situation.

“When the cousin questioned Rogers’ authority, Rogers stated she could leave on her own or she would call the sheriff resource officer,” McCrary wrote. “The athletic director ended up having the cousin leave the gym.”

It was then, McCrary reported, that Rogers stated she had said, “We are not hoodlums, nor should we act like it.

“Others thought they heard her say ‘hood rat;’ half of those interviewed thought they heard ‘hood rat’ and half did not hear that term,” McCrary wrote. “A parent of another teacher was the first person to report to me about the incident and explained that ‘hood rat’ means dirty and from the ghetto.”

From the interview alone, she explained there could be no determination as to which word was used.

“However, the whole incident, including the acting out of the cheerleader and her cousin, the unprofessional language … used by Rogers, and the anger that she displayed in this incident, was inappropriate,” she wrote.

McCrary wrote that Rogers said “everyone needs respect. I backed you into a corner and caused you to be upset; if I had called you to the side, this would not have happened.

“Rogers has done an outstanding job with coaching the cheerleaders, and I hear compliments on them wherever I go,” she wrote. “They are well-disciplined and make Vernon High School proud with the way they handle themselves.”

Rogers faces disciplinary action such as supervision by the principal and annual evaluations.

McCrary said the gym incident was “an isolated one and should not have happened.”

“Tempers flared and words were said that should not have been said; it has not been verified that ‘hood rat’ was said or not said,” she wrote. “I do feel that disciplinary action is necessary.”

Sandra Cook, superintendent of Washington County Schools, said she felt relieved the matter was resolved.

“I believe all the parties involved have learned from this process,” Cook said. “It’s been a learning experience for both students and teachers, and I believe we’re all a little better equipped now.”

Recommendations of disciplinary action

•Amanda Rogers will be supervised by the principal, not the athletic director.

•When a discipline problem occurs with the cheerleaders, Rogers will discuss it with the principal before making a judgment or decision on the disciplinary action.

•Both Rogers and the principal will collaborate on the decision.

•Shouting matches and confrontations between Rogers and students should not occur and disciplinary actions should not happen in busy corridors or lobbies where people and community members are congregated. A quiet place where both parties can discuss the problem should be used.

•The Code of Ethics for the Education Profession is attached. The principal and Rogers will discuss these and it shall become part of the coach’s responsibility to follow.

•Rogers will submit a monthly calendar of cheerleading activities to the principal at the beginning of each month.

•Rogers will be evaluated annually by the principal and that report will become part of the coach’s record.

•A copy of this report with the above recommendations will be placed in Rogers’ personnel file.