About two dozen parents, students and family members sat silently through Monday night's Bryan ISD board meeting in support of Lashala Nicks, a Bryan High assistant basketball coach. The group wore matching shirts reading "We stand with Coach Nicks" and did not speak. The board did not address the group because the topic was not on the agenda, a source told KBTX, and district leaders have agreed to meet with them at a later date.
Nicks said she was called to human resources on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and told her employment was being terminated for failing to report a student's statement. She said she was never written up or suspended before the decision. Nicks acknowledged she should have reported the student's concerns, but said termination was too harsh a punishment. Under Texas law, professionals, including teachers, must report suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours. Dr. Hugo Ibarra, the district's executive director of community affairs, said the district does not comment on individual personnel matters.
Parent Romika Fobbs said her daughter plays for Nicks and that the group hopes the students get their coach back. Zaniyah Turner, a player who has known Nicks since she started playing basketball, said Nicks "is family." Bryan High's basketball team is scheduled to play its first game of the season Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Houston.