Henderson ISD Athletic Director faces potential reassignment ahead of football season

HENDERSON, Texas ( KETK ) – Henderson ISD Athletic Director could face reassignment within the district.

People in Henderson rallied in support of the school district’s Athletic Director Clay Freeman who is facing possible removal from his position.

This reassignment within the district will be made by the Interim Superintendent Jim Dunlap.

Meanwhile, community members are wondering why and gathered at Tuesday’s school board meeting to hear Freeman’s fate.

After a closed session meeting, the school board did not take any action.

“Typically, the superintendent take personnel action on campus. They are the CEO on campus and make internal decisions and campus operations and who staffs those positions,” Russell Brown, president of HISD school board of trustees said.

Brown said that the school board receives recommendations on the acceptance of new hires and resignations.

Freeman has been the athletic director for three years, previously holding administration positions. Freeman said he has been a coach, assistant principal at Henderson ISD and principal at Wylie Elementary.

Freeman said he was asked if he would take a buyout by Dunlap on his first day as the interim.

“First is kind-of heart break and questions of why? and then it’s turned into anger, competitive fire anger just to kind of prove what you stood for in your career and have something like this happen,” Freeman said.

Now, he could be reassigned to Executive of Facilities which covers maintenance and transportation.

Dunlap released the following statement on the situation:

“I have not taken official action regarding any reassignment of any staff member. I presented a concept to Mr. Freeman and asked him to think about it over the weekend and we would discuss it on Monday. My plan was to flesh out the details and timelines to develop over the next few weeks or months before everything is finalized. We never had the opportunity to discuss those ideas. Safety and security is critical in my mind, and maintenance and transportation all have very capable individuals operating in their areas and I believe it is in the best interest of the district to consolidate these under one proven administrator. Mr. Freeman is a strong leader and is the best person to assume these responsibilities.”

Athletes, parents and former students spoke on his behalf at the meeting, touting Freeman’s success and questioning the timing of this potential move. Henderson ISD begins class on Wednesday.

“I don’t think it’s good at all, in a rebuilding phase you don’t want to make any changes you want to stick with what you got and I like what we got and I don’t think it’s a good time at all to make that change,” Vince Howard, quarterback for the Henderson Lions said.

Parents and current students said they are concerned about the potential impacts this move could have on the program and athletes.

“Football in particular has added two new coaches this summer with NFL experience, we’ve never had that so those coaches are here because they want to work with Clay Freeman and if we lose Clay Freeman in this role then we stand in jeopardy to lose a lot of great coaches and that’s the concern,” Micah Howard, a parent and Henderson ISD alumni said.

Freeman said he is overwhelmed by the community’s support and if his position is reassigned, he plans to finish out his two-year contract and will then consider retirement to support his son in his senior year of high school.

“When I drive up here it’s a feeling of overwhelming support from our athletes and our community and it’s just a testament to the culture we’ve established in Henderson and the athletic department,” Freeman said.

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