Ethel High School baseball and slow-pitch softball coach Christopher Schuster, 47, will remain in his job as two-sport coach and physical education teacher for the forthcoming school year barring conviction on charges filed against him last week in Attala County Justice Court.
Attala County Schools Superintendent Bryan Weaver said the district does not plan to take any action against the 20-year teacher and coach at this time.
“We stand behind our employee and he’s going to continue to work for us. We look forward to seeing him proven innocent,” Weaver told The Star-Herald in an exclusive phone interview.
Schuster is accused of domestic violence-simple assault causing bodily injury, felony burglary of a dwelling house, and malicious mischief, according to the Attala County Sheriff’s Department arrest report. Schuster was arrested July 24 after turning himself in, according to Sheriff Tim Nail.
“It was an incident between him and his spouse that led to the charges being filed. That is about all I can say,” said Nail.
Justice Court filings indicate that Schuster posted $7,000 in bonds per the order of Judge Rosie Sample, who set a $5,000 bond on the felony burglary charge, $1,000 on the domestic violence-simple assault charge, and $1,000 on the malicious mischief charge.
Schuster reportedly made an initial appearance in Attala County Justice Court on Wednesday, July 31.
Asked if he is at all concerned having Schuster work with the district's students while facing charges of violence, Weaver said he is not worried.
“In his 20 years with us, there has been no concern with him and any violence toward anyone. It isn’t fair to base someone’s career on a single incident until there is guilt that is proven," Weaver said.
“I would have no hesitation placing my daughter in his class,” he added, noting that his son has played baseball on the Schuster-led high school baseball team.
Schuster posted his 300th career coaching win when the Ethel Tigers’ won the second game of the MHSAA Class 1A baseball playoffs in May.
