Chapter 4 - COACH HALL’S OFFICE

Ridgeway placed Coach Hall on administrative leave the next morning.
Temporary.
Not guilt finding.
Students exploded online.
THE CITY CHAIRMAN GOT OUR COACH SUSPENDED BECAUSE HIS KID GOT PUSHED.
That was exactly what Dad feared.
He called school board attorney.
“I want written confirmation my office requested no employment action.”
He got it.
He also publicly recused himself from any city matters involving Ridgeway while my case was active.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because people need to know this isn't me using city hall against your school.”
“But you didn't.”
“Then recusal costs nothing.”
Power had to look fair as well as be fair.
I began appreciating things I had previously called boring.
Meanwhile investigators searched Coach Hall’s office with school authorization.
They found fundraiser boxes.
Thirty-seven.
Some from current year.
Some expired.
And $8,460 in cash.
Hall said money belonged to football booster club.
No receipt ledger matched.
Then they found envelopes labeled by student last names.
Mine wasn't there.
Maya Ruiz was.
Jordan Ellis.
Caleb Stone.
Younger students.
Students who had surrendered boxes.
Each envelope showed number of boxes taken.
May you like
The football players had been using us as supply chain.
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