Boston high school girls' lacrosse team coach fired after she sent inappropriate messages to students
The lacrosse coach of a girls' team of a school outside of Boston has been removed from her position for allegedly texting and contacting her students on the team during the day, nights, and weekends.
It was alleged that the Milton High School's varsity girls' lacrosse coach, 26-year-old Katherine Phelan, engaged in inappropriate conversations with her student players and even asked them about their "personal lives".
Boston 25 News reported that the revelations of the misconduct were made by the school principal James Jette who sent a letter to the homes of the parents and guardians of all the student-athletes on the team.
Jette wrote: "We are disappointed and concerned by this alleged conduct. The district takes very seriously its duty and obligation to care for our student-athletes. We continue to remain committed to our efforts to ensure a safe learning community."
Jette wrote in the letter that the Milton Police Department was notified and also stated that the allegations were brought to his attention on June 4. Superintendent Mary C. Gormley said that the coach was allegedly texting and contacting the students "excessively".
She then said that the officials were informed of the allegations on June 4 and took "immediate action by removing the coach from her duties and by conducting an investigation". A letter that was sent to the parents by Phelan herself stated that she was resigning as head coach due to work travel and graduate schools being the reasons.
Phelan had taken over the Milton High School Girls Lacrosse program in 2016 and was employed with the school for three years. She went to the same high school herself and played lacrosse for Milton High from 2008-2011.