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Anderson County Schools Director doesn't give a reason as to why Clinton head coach Darell Keith was let go

Anderson County Schools told WBIR a reason will be given after the criminal investigation.

CLINTON, Tennessee — Anderson County Schools Board of Education held a meeting on Thursday night and the Clinton High School grade-changing investigation was the main topic of conversation.

Community members spoke up in outrage at how they feel the situation has been handled. Anderson County Director of Schools then gave a statement reading the timeline as to how we have gotten to this point.

This investigation has resulted in administrators, guidance counselors and teachers either resigning or being fired. The school also did not renew football head coach Darell Keith's contract during that time.

In his statement, Parrott mentioned the Clinton football team who forfeited wins from last season after sending a letter to the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association saying they played an ineligible football player and that the player didn't meet the required credits to play.

Football Athletic Director Nate Martin was demoted after this to work at Clinton Middle School but then left the school system to work at West High School.

Parrott said in his statement that the ineligible player didn't affect the employment decisions of any faculty. He said this was about graduation requirements, grade modification and bigger than just sports.

He also said the school system is working to get the appeal sent by new Clinton High School principal Robbie Heerrell to overturn the decision to forfeit the wins. Herrell believes the school has found proof to show the student-athlete was eligible the whole time. 

The school system expects a decision on Monday from the TSSAA.

WBIR spoke to Parrott after the meeting. He declined to speak on camera but did speak on the record off-camera. 

WBIR asked why Keith's contract was not renewed. Parrott said Keith is a non-tenured teacher and they didn't have a reason. He told WBIR he didn't want to get into specifics.

Anderson County Schools later told WBIR that the reason for Coach Keith not having his contract renewed would be revealed after the criminal investigation was over.

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