Fairfax School Superintendent Apologizes For Handling Of Football Scandal: Report

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools apologized this week for her handling of a recruitment scandal involving the Hayfield Secondary School football team, according to a report.

During Thursday night's school board meeting, Michelle Reid spoke to frustrated parents and atoned for how she and the school district handled the situation, WTOP reported.

“The buck stops with me, and I’m responsible for the situation,” Reid said. “I am sorry to every single athlete that’s been impacted negatively by this situation, every coach that’s been impacted, every family member, fan and community member.”

The superintendent's apology was the latest turn of events involving former Hayfield athletic director Monty Fritts, who hired football coach Darryl Overton from Freedom High School in Woodbridge and was later accused of improperly recruiting players from outside the district, according to previous reporting by The Fairfax Times.

Over the summer, Fairfax County Public Schools conducted an internal investigation that cleared Hayfield from accusations that Overton had bullied students and recruited players from his former school.

However, the Virginia High School League conducted a separate investigation and determined that 31 Woodbridge students transferred to Hayfield to play for Overton, which led to the two-season ban, according to the Fairfax Times.

Last month, a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge issued an injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by Hayfield parents, clearing the Hawks to play in the first round of the Class 6 Region C playoffs.

The decision prompted six Fairfax football coaches to send a letter of protest to Reid saying they were considering withdrawing from the playoffs, saying “this course of action is necessary to uphold the principles of fairness and accountability that we are entrusted to teach.”

Shortly after, Hayfield withdrew its football team from the playoffs after text messages came to light further implicating Fritts in the scheme to recruit players from outside the school district, according to reports. Fritts resigned when his texts came to light.

“Last week, several new and troubling text messages were brought to light and are now part of the ongoing review regarding Hayfield Secondary School recruiting concerns,” Reid in November. “FCPS can only act on the information that it has, and these messages brought new concerns to the initial investigation.

She continued, “Human resources staff and internal and external counsel reviewed this new evidence, investigated further, and finally concluded that they provided evidence of potential impropriety. Today, I shared summary information about the inquiry and the outcome of the inquiry with School Board members."

After meeting with the coaches and principals from all the schools involved, Reid announced plans to implement:

1. A comprehensive and independent external investigation and review of all student athlete transfers and eligibility practices across all sports and in all of the system's high schools.
2. A review and revision, where necessary, to FCPS athletic protocols and procedures. Led by the Office of Student Activities and Athletics programs, and in partnership with coaches and administrators, this will include a division-wide review of current practices in evaluating student athlete transfers both inside and outside the division.

Reid also pledged to host two community conversations for schools in Class 6 Region C and one for schools in Class 6 Region D, addressing athletic regulations and practices. She planned to work with VSHL on improving policies and processes regarding student-athlete eligibility.