Wednesday night’s Hamilton County School Board meeting followed the closed, Executive Session called after the December 22 assault of an Ooltewah High School basketball player in a Gatlinburg cabin during a basketball tournament.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., Hamilton County School Board members left the private meeting with their attorney to begin the meeting scheduled with the public, to answer their questions.
The meeting was ended in about five minutes, following a prepared statement from a board member, saying that all questions from the public should be directed to the board’s attorneys.
Attorney Scott Bennett said after the meeting the school system has been issued a gag order by officials in Sevier County, Tenn., where the criminal investigation into the three boys charged with aggravated rape and aggravated assault is taking place. The order prevents anyone involved in the case from commenting publicly.
Hours before the board meeting Wednesday, members of Ooltewah High School’s boy’s varsity and junior varsity basketball teams were summoned to the school’s cafeteria and told the remainder of their season is canceled, effective immediately. The freshman team will still be allowed to play.
Ooltewah Cancels the remainder of its Basketball Season
