Big Spring Herald - Mom files assault complaint: Accuses coach of kicking son

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Big Spring, Texas

Friday, August 8, 2008

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August 2008

Mom files assault complaint: Accuses coach of kicking son

Thursday, 03 January 2008
By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer Big Spring police are investigating an alleged assault involving a Big Spring Independent School District coach and student. Tris Clemons, mother of the student, filed an assault complaint Dec. 22 against Derek Workman, a junior high school coach and social studies teacher. Clemons accused Workman of kicking her 17-year-old son in the mouth on or about Nov. 17 while the boy was at the residence of a female coach whose name she couldn’t recall. “My son was sleeping on the floor (at the female coach’s house),” Ms. Clemons said. “ He said he looked up and saw (Workman) ... and the next thing he knew, the coach kicked him, and started yelling and screaming at him.” The student then left the residence in a run, she said. Clemons’ son suffered a cut and bruised lower lip and lost one tooth while two others became loosened, she said. She said she didn’t report the incident sooner because her son claimed that a television had fallen on him, causing the injuries. Ms. Clemons said her son changed his story in December, which prompted her to file the criminal complaint. Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer for BSPD, confirmed that the complaint was recently filed with the department, but declined to provide details. “Charges have been filed by the complainant, but that’s all we’re going to say at this time,” Everett said. “We are in the process of investigating the case.” BSPD Detective Jim Rider has been assigned the case, Everett said. BSISD Superintendent Michael Downes confirmed Dec. 20 that two coaches had been suspended with pay. However, both were reinstated after a school district investigation determined that allegations of misconduct were false, according to Downes. BSISD officials, citing legal and confidentiality concerns, declined to either identify the instructors or state the reasons for their suspensions. The Big Spring Herald subsequently filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act, asking the school district to release both the coaches’ names and reasons for their suspension. Downes said today that district officials had no additional information to release at this time. Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 January 2008 )

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Comments

If the coaches are without fault, why isn't the info being released? Why is the school district being so secretive? I have a child at the Jr. High in Mr. Workman's class, as well as on the football team that he helps coach. The parents of children in BSISD have the right to know what is going on with teachers that are here to educate our children. If there was something going on between the female coach and the 17 year old, that's one thing to deal with and the way he injured that boy is another. But if either one of them are a risk to our children, they need to be removed from the classroom. He is around children all the time, is this how he handles himself when he gets angry? BSISD is doing a real craptastic job in screening the teachers it lets into our schools. Are we in need of teachers in BSISD so badly that they will keep someone around who may be a danger to students? How many children are going to have to be hurt or affected by this in some way before they up their standards?
Posted by Stephanie Yeats, on January 4, 2008 at 4:27

I FEEL THE SAME AS THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE COMMENT IF WE CAN'T TRUST OUR TEACHERS TO BE UP STANDING CITIZENS THEN WE DON'T NEED THEM THEY ARE SUSPOSED TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN THEY ARE THE FIRST ONES THAT REPORT WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE ABUSED OR WHEN THEY ACTING UP IN CLASS OUR CHILDREN SURE MAKE THE THE NEWS WHEN THEY BREAK THE LAW AND PROSCUTED IT SEEMS LIKE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IN BIG SPRING DOESN'T GET THE ATTENCION IT NEEDS LIKE THE DRUG AND GANG AND BURGERLIES IT SEEMS SOME PEOPLE TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE PROBLEM
Posted by BOBBY PEARSON, on January 4, 2008 at 23:58

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My family has lived in Big Spring for 31 years. This last Thursday my mother, Geri York and I had to go out of town for some doctors appts. We stopped at the very last gas station as you leave town heading to Midland. I think it is a Shell Sation. We had to get a gallon of water to add to my truck. We purchased the water and before we could even get it into the truck we had two seperate men ask if we needed any help. This is the reason we live in Big Spring and West Texas!! Rhonda Bronaugh - Big Spring	The greed of the people in Big Spring has become unbelievable since shortly after the refinery explosion! Now that there is an influx of out-of-towners the supply and demand of housing is being strained. Rent has suddenly doubled (or more) and "trailer parks" are popping up all over to help accomodate. All these good ol' boys are lining their pockets on opportunity presented by tragedy and it makes me sick. Not only are they raping the newcomers for their money, but those of us who have lived here for years haven't suddenly come into a lot of money. We still work regular jobs with regular pay. Now we can't even afford to live in our own town because of the greed of all these opportunists! Tomieka Maddux - Big Spring