RISON - Kyle Thaxton, the Woodlawn Lady Bears softball coach, was not with the team at the Class 2A State Tournament hosted by Palestine-Wheatley High School last Thursday through Saturday.Dr. Kevin Hancock, superintendent for the Woodlawn School District, had "no comment" on Thaxton's absence at the state tournament. Thaxton led the Lady Bears to a second place finish in the South Region Tournament the week before (May 2-4) at Parkers Chapel.Synthia English, the assistant softball coach and head girls basketball coach, filled in for Thaxton at the state tournament. Football coach Zach Meyer served as the assistant, a position he held with the softball team during the 2023 season.In August 2023, Thaxton was suspended for the fall semester after the Woodlawn School Board voted to modify Hancock's recommendation to terminate Thaxton's contract with the district. Hancock recommended the termination after hearing remarks Thaxton made on a video about not having to play a player. Hancock also accused Thaxton of insubordination for leaving about 30 minutes early one day.Among the personnel decisions made during the Woodlawn School Board's regular monthly meeting Monday night, Hancock said the school district will be posting an opening for a new softball coach.Thaxton led the Woodlawn softball program for three season. He compiled a 60-20 record over that span, winning the conference and regional championships in both 2022 and 2023. The Lady Bears finished second in the 8-2A conference and the regional tournament this year....
To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.