The Fort Myers High School basketball coach who was surrounded by controversy and resigned has now found a new job.
Scott Guttery was a coach at Fort Myers High School for ten years. He was placed on administrative leave after a 15-year-old student claimed Guttery got too rough with him at practice. The Lee County School District and Sheriff's Office each had their own investigations into a "hard foul" at a pick up game in May, in which a student claimed he was hurt.
Guttery was reinstated after the school district completed their investigation and determined a letter of reprimand would be placed in his personnel file. Guttery resigned Tuesday, and today announced he would be working as a coach at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers.
Guttery posted this statement on Facebook:
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as a teacher and coach at Fort Myers High School. I no longer have the desire to work in a school district that shows little support, respect, and value for its teachers and coaches.
The way my last couple months have unfolded and been handled will set a precedent for further undermining the authority and value of coaches and teachers within the public school system. I cannot be a part of that precedent.
I have enjoyed the last 10 years at FMHS and will forever be grateful for the players I have coached, and the colleagues with whom I spent time with time at FMHS.
I truly believe everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for my future and the future of my family. I had always imagined that planwould include teaching and coaching at FMHS for many years to come. But, it is clear to me now that I must move on and seek a new opportunity to serve Him and others. Forever "WE over ME" (Romans 12:10)."
The Lee County Sheriff's Office cleared Guttery of the allegations, but the student's attorney Sawyer Smith said he's still struggling to recover.
"My clients are concerned with the wellbeing of their son, who's still suffering tremendously from the major concussion he suffered at the hands of Mr. Guttery," Smith said. "Their son has suffered an injury, and following, cognitive impairment."
A spokesperson from the Lee County School District released this statement:
"I can confirm that Mr. Guttery resigned his position yesterday.
He was fully reinstated to his position at Fort Myers High School on June 26th while the school district completed a thorough investigation into his actions.
The district follows a process in every case of employee misconduct to ensure compliance with board policies, statutory requirements and the employee's due process rights.
At the conclusion of our investigation we determined that a written reprimand would be placed in Mr. Guttery's file concerning the incident.
While we are disappointed Mr. Guttery feels it necessary to vacate his position, the facts support our decision. The bottom line is that it is our responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.
We wish him well in his future endeavors."
We're told Guttery will be holding a press conference Friday afternoon.
