Highland High School's former head football coach has filed a $4 million lawsuit alleging he was defamed and wrongfully fired by the former principal and Salt Lake School District.
Thomas E. Kingsford said in a U.S. District Court suit filed Thursday that former principal Charles J. Shackett falsely accused him of financial wrongdoing and the school district denied him due process.Kingsford, who coached the football team from 1986 to 1996, is still teaching math at Highland High. Shackett left the school last year to become superintendent of the Shelley (Idaho) Joint School District No. 60.
Shackett and Salt Lake district officials said they had not seen the suit and could not comment.
The suit said Shackett launched a campaign against Kingsford in 1995. In August of that year, "Shackett attended a (principals') meeting at which he told persons attending that his goal that school year was to `get rid' of a coach."
According to the suit, Shackett went about it by:
- Asking Salt Lake physical therapist Mark Aberton whether Kingsford was "taking money" from funds collected for student physical examinations. The therapist said Kingsford was not taking money.
- Asking school treasurer Colleen Sundstrom to draft a letter containing any negative information, either financial or personal, that she knew about Kingsford.
- Quizzing assistant coaches about Kingsford's alleged financial wrongdoing.
- Calling into his office a student who had done some private work for Kingsford and asking if the student had a "problem" with doing the work. The student said there was no problem.
- Changing the lock on the football equipment room so he could look around and then refusing to give Kingsford a copy of the key.
Sometime in fall 1995, an anonymous report of financial wrongdoing in the Highland High football program resulted in a cash audit that was submitted to the Salt Lake City School District.
Though Kingsford was not allowed to see the audit, he was told by Assistant Superintendent J. Dale Manning that the charges were so serious that it was likely he would be transferred to another school. Then on March 22, 1996, Kingsford was suspended from coaching and was told his coaching assignment would be terminated at the end of the school year.
"The notice of termination gave absolutely no reasons for Mr. Kingsford's suspension and termination," the suit said. Also, the school district denied Kingsford's request for a hearing before the Salt Lake City Board of Education.
Afterward, the suit said, Shackett made public statements inferring Kingsford had been fired because of dishonesty and financial wrongdoing.
The suit said the principal made such statements to the football team, other students and parents, Deseret News sports reporter Dirk Facer and a number of principals attending a meeting in May 1996.
Because of those statements, Kingsford said, he was denied other coaching opportunities, including jobs at Bountiful and Bingham high schools.
The suit seeks general and punitive damages for the lost job opportunities, deprivation of rights, defamation, breach of contract and invasion of privacy.