Newberry Head Football Coach received letter of reprimand for using booster club funds to pay personal cell phone bill

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Newberry Head Football Coach Edward Johnson received a written reprimand after an investigation into his use of booster club funds to pay his personal cell phone bill.

On January 31, 2024, the treasurer of the Newberry Quarterback Club reported to Newberry High School Principal James Sheppard that Johnson had improperly used booster club funds to pay his personal cell phone bill. Sheppard notified the Alachua County Public Schools Human Resources Department of the allegations on February 1, and Johnson was placed on administrative leave with pay during the investigation.

According to the booster club treasurer, Johnson admitted using the booster club’s debit card to pay his personal cell phone bill, and the treasurer gave him a week to tell Sheppard about the misappropriation of funds. However, according to the investigation report, Johnson did not speak with Sheppard, and after waiting a week, the treasurer reported the incident to Sheppard. The treasurer also told Sheppard that Johnson had her booster club debit card.

Principal Sheppard told the investigator that he spoke with Johnson after learning about the allegation, and he said Johnson took responsibility for using funds inappropriately and acknowledged that paying a personal bill with booster funds was not in line with proper procedures. Sheppard told the investigator that Johnson said he had reimbursed the booster club.

The investigator reviewed the booster club’s financial reports and found one charge for $356.29 to Verizon. The investigator noted, “It is important to note that only officials of the Boosters should have access to the cards, and it is not good to hand over the card to the coach. There should be two signatures in order to complete purchases.”

In an interview with the investigator, Johnson reportedly admitted using booster funds to pay his personal cell phone bill; he said he received a notification that the phone was about to be turned off, and his phone was “ringing nonstop” because university coaches were contacting him about recruiting his student-athletes. He said he told the treasurer the same day he used the card and promised to pay back the booster club the next week when he got paid.

Johnson told the investigator, “I was thinking it was business. I have brought more than $356 to the Boosters, so I didn’t think it was a big deal.” He said this was the only time he had used booster funds for personal expenses, but he was “under the assumption that it would be fine” and said that “everything was done for his boys.”

The Investigations Review Committee met on February 23 and found that there was probable cause for disciplinary action against Johnson for violating school board policies regarding ethical conduct and improper handling of funds.

On March 1, ACPS Human Resources Executive Director David Shelnutt sent a letter to Johnson, notifying him that he was being issued a written reprimand and reminding him “that you have a responsibility to maintain the highest ethical standards possible.” Johnson was also required to take Professional Development Training.

Johnson returned to work as a Physical Education teacher once the investigation was complete, but he was fired from his position as Head Football Coach; after an outcry from the community and a petition that attracted 1,259 signatures, Johnson was reinstated as Head Football Coach.