Scott Central coach's job uncertain following accusations

MORLEY, Mo. -- The coaching future of Melvin Porter at Scott County Central remained uncertain late Wednesday night after a closed-door school board meeting.

The board was reviewing actions to be taken on Porter, the boys basketball team's head coach who allegedly made inappropriate comments to a student.

School superintendent Joanne Northern would not comment on the status of Porter after the meeting but did say the board accepted the resignation of board president Tim McIntyre, who became frustrated by the slow nature of the investigation.

Porter, who also would not comment after the meeting, has been on administrative leave with pay since Friday and has been replaced on the bench for the last two games. Girls basketball coach Semona Penrod filled in for Porter in Tuesday's loss to Bell City and will retain the duties until further notice.

McIntyre had been the board president for nine years. He said he first became aware of the incident on Friday and became dismayed when no action was taken at a meeting on Monday night.

"Based on the facts there should have been a decision made, or I felt there should, and it was going nowhere," McIntyre said.

He handed in his resignation Tuesday morning.

"I resigned because it was not moving forward," McIntyre said. "It was stalled, and I thought that was the worst thing that could happen. As it didn't move forward, more rumors surfaced and more calls were made."

Contacted earlier in the day, McIntyre was tight-lipped about the facts presented.

"As far as I know, there were some accusations against coach Porter that he made some comment to a student," McIntyre said.

Porter, who also teaches physical education, returned to coach at his alma mater this season. He helped the school win two Class 1A state championships (1979, 1980).

The Braves, who are 10-14, close their regular season Friday night at Delta and begin Class 1 district play Monday at Delta High School.