Investigation into Celina High School Wrestling Coach
A Celina High School wrestling coach and teacher has been placed on leave as the district investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct from his previous job at Melissa ISD.
According to an email sent to Celina High School families by the district on Sunday, Celina ISD became aware of a social media post on Friday about allegations of inappropriate conduct involving wrestling coach Neil Phillips. The email said Celina ISD has begun an investigation into Phillips and placed him on administrative leave, in addition to sending notice to the Texas Education Agency and referring the matter to law enforcement.
Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct
A video posted Friday to Facebook alleged Phillips was showing freshman students how to use an “AI tool” in the classroom and did so in a “sexually inappropriate way.” The video includes an alleged audio excerpt from the lesson, which appears to show Phillips demonstrating an AI voice chatbot with various modes, including “assistant,” “therapist,” “storyteller” and “sexy.”
In the audio, students can be heard asking for the chatbot to be put on “sexy mode.” An AI voice can then be heard making several sexually suggestive remarks as the students laugh.
Background Information
The Education Lab
Related
The video says other parts of the audio were not included because they contained explicit language. It is unclear if the audio is authentic or what the source of the audio is.
Investigation by Melissa ISD
According to a statement from Melissa ISD sent to parents Monday, Melissa High School students on March 5 reported concerns to school administrators about Phillips’ actions during class.
Melissa ISD said Phillips, who was in his second year with the district, was immediately placed on leave as the district began an investigation and notified parents of students in the class. Phillips resigned on March 9 and told the district he was seeking employment elsewhere, the statement said.
The statement from Melissa ISD said it reviewed audio recordings of the class as part of the investigation, but that the audio recording currently circulating online was not made available to the district.
The statement also said the investigation into Phillips concluded on March 25, and two days later, Celina ISD contacted Melissa ISD regarding Phillips’ employment. The statement said Melissa ISD provided “a truthful and accurate” reference to Celina ISD.
The statement did not include the results of the investigation or what exactly was said to Celina ISD.
In light of the new audio, Melissa ISD said in its statement it filed a report with the State Board for Educator Certification.
Response from Celina ISD
According to the email sent by Celina ISD, at the time of his hiring with Celina, Phillips had a clean application record, which denied any prior investigations, times he was placed on leave or resignations in lieu of termination. He also had a clear certificate with the Texas Education Agency, the email said.
The email said the district is investigating the discrepancy between the recent allegation and the information received at the time of his application to Celina ISD.
Related
The allegations are the third involving a Celina ISD teacher in recent weeks. Last month, Moore Middle School coach and teacher Caleb Elliott, the son of Celina High football coach Bill Elliott, was arrested and accused of taking photos of undressing students in the locker room. He later resigned, and faces charges of invasive recording and possession of child pornography.
Bill Elliott and Moore Middle School Principal Allison Ginn have been placed on leave as the district also faces two lawsuits over the incident.
A Moore Middle School teacher was also arrested last week after she allegedly showed up to work “impaired.” English teacher Jainya Walder, 40, faces charges of endangering a child and has been placed on leave.
Conclusion
The investigation into Neil Phillips is ongoing, and the district is working to determine the facts of the case. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students in the district, and the district is taking steps to address these concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the allegations against Neil Phillips?
A: Phillips is accused of demonstrating an AI voice chatbot in a “sexually inappropriate way” to freshman students in his class.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and the district is working to determine the facts of the case.
Q: What actions have been taken against Phillips?
A: Phillips has been placed on administrative leave, and the district has sent notice to the Texas Education Agency and referred the matter to law enforcement.
Q: What is the district doing to address the incident?
A: The district is investigating the discrepancy between the recent allegation and the information received at the time of Phillips’ application to Celina ISD, and is taking steps to ensure the safety and well-being of students in the district.
