A number of Ethel High School students, led by sophomore Tyler Weaver, son of Attala County Schools Superintendent Bryan Weaver, wore t-shirts supporting EHS physical education teacher and two-sport coach Chris Schuster following his recent arrest for domestic violence-simple assault causing bodily injury, felony burglary of a dwelling house and malicious mischief.
Superintendent Weaver and the district board have permitted Schuster, a 300-career-win coach, to remain in the classroom and on the field on the advice of outside legal counsel Jim Keith.
“Since it is non-school related, the board has no directive until it affects job performance or the charges move forward,” Weaver told The Star-Herald. “We haven’t seen an impact at the school level.”
It is a move some question given the role of teachers and coaches as role models.
“We’re going to do the best for our students. What I want to see is if there is reaction from the kids for or against him. That would be a strong indication. If the kids were uncomfortable with him, we would definitely have to look at that,” Weaver following the initial board decision. “We’re not trying to sweep anything under the rug; (teachers and coaches) should be the utmost role models for our students.”
Upon first inquiry, Weaver said he had seen the t-shirts supporting Schuster on a visit to Ethel High School last Friday.
“I was up there Friday and saw that, but I didn’t give it a whole lot of thought. When people see someone struggling, kids are often the first to come forward and lend support,” he said.
Asked if he knew who had started the t-shirt movement, he at first said, “I’d rather not say, but it didn’t come from me or this office.”
Questioned further about participation of his children, Weaver conceded that Tyler had come up with the idea. Tyler is a baseball player on the team led by Schuster and a sophomore at the school.
and that his leadership role in the district should not preclude his children’s right to free speech.
“He is a student in the Attala County School District and if he chooses to support or join in any club, he has the freedom to do so,” said the superintendent. “He is a young man of strong convictions and if he wants to support someone, he’s going to do it.”
