Applicant appeals coaching denial after decades-old misdemeanor; board pauses for review

Jermaine Farrell addressed the Rutherford County Board on Tuesday seeking reconsideration after the district denied him a head-coaching position at La Verne High School because a background check turned up a misdemeanor conviction from roughly 28 years ago.

Farrell told the board about his 20-plus years of coaching experience and described his work with students in multiple districts. He acknowledged a youthful misdemeanor and a probation violation that he said followed, and asked for a “case by case” exception so he could coach and mentor local students. “I just ask that y'all, you know, give me an opportunity to go be a difference at La Verne High School,” Farrell said.

Board members responded with a mix of support and procedural caution. One member said, “I believe in second chances,” while Dr. Sullivan, the director of schools, explained that hiring authority for such positions rests with the director but that a board recommendation could be considered in special circumstances. Legal counsel advised that state law lists classes of disqualifying offenses but also contains an exception for certain misdemeanor convictions that occurred more than 10 years before application and did not involve a minor; counsel also said he had limited details about the applicant’s record and recommended further investigation.

A motion was made to seek an exception on Farrell’s behalf, but counsel recommended postponement so staff could review the criminal record and relevant statutes and district policies. The board recessed briefly to gather more information and withdrew an immediate motion; members said they would reconvene and review the documentation before making a binding or formal recommendation. The meeting later adjourned.

Because the director of schools has statutory hiring authority, any board action would be advisory unless the director agrees to act on it. The board’s next steps are to review Farrell’s background records and the relevant legal framework before making a formal recommendation or taking further action.