CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT

CPS Addresses Protocol, Procedures & Communication in Media Inquiry

The Cabot School District has received media and community inquiries regarding its handling of
matters involving Brad Rich, a former 2015 volunteer in our basketball program. A criminal
investigation into actions by Rich was completed by local law enforcement authorities. The
District cooperated in the investigation. Following the criminal sentencing of Rich, the District
has received inquiries about how it handled the events from 2015. In order to address ongoing
concerns, the District feels it is necessary to clarify and share details regarding two separate
incidents that occurred during the summer and fall of 2015, related to Rich.

Summer 2015
Based on the victim’s statement in the criminal investigative file, the sexual assault occurred in
the summer of 2015. This was unknown to the District until June of 2019.

September 2015
A District assistant athletic trainer was made aware of an inappropriate text message thread from
September 11, 2015, between a student and Rich. The District immediately notified the parent of
the student involved, and a conference was held between the parent and a District administrator.
Rich was notified by a District administrator that he would not be allowed to return to a District
program in any capacity, effective immediately. The parent was supportive of this District action.

June 2019
The District was first notified by the Cabot Police Department of the sexual assault allegation
involving a former student and Rich that occurred in the summer of 2015. The District fully
cooperated and assisted in the investigation.

September 2020
Rich pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a minor, a class D felony, and fourth-degree
sexual assault, a class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 48 months' probation on the felony
and 12 months' probation on the misdemeanor, to be served concurrently.

Before June 2019, the District was only aware of the previously mentioned text message
thread from September 11, 2015, that involved Rich and a different student.

However, when the sexual assault allegation was brought to our attention in June 2019, the
District began working extensively to reexamine what took place four years prior. After much
recollection, re-interviewing individuals, scrutinizing how the incidents were handled and
addressed, and considering the concerns brought forward at that time, the District acknowledged
that our protocols needed improvement.

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 CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT

First, in the recently released Cabot Police Department file, a District assistant athletic trainer
made the alarming statement that she feared termination from the District if she had brought
certain concerns to the District administration in 2015. To address this issue, the District recently
interviewed the employee to determine why she felt threatened to previously provide
information. The employee could not provide any additional details or recall even making that
statement to law enforcement authorities. It is important to note that the only entity with the
power to terminate employment is the Cabot School Board---not an administrator.

Further review of the investigative file uncovered allegations that Rich, despite being directed
not to return to any District property in September 2015, continuously visited the high school
campus. While evaluating our response, it was clear that the parties had trouble recollecting these
details. Now, the assistant athletic trainer states she saw Rich only two to three times between
2015 and 2018 when he provided lunch or other items to his spouse, a District employee. She
said there was never contact with any students. Rich’s spouse, however, says he never came to
the high school campus after he was directed to leave in 2015. It was also confirmed that Rich, as
part of his employment with D1, along with two other individuals, took part in a presentation
regarding living a healthy lifestyle at a middle school in 2018. This revealed the need for
improved and clearly documented communication between all parties involved.

There are also allegations that the District “swept it under the rug.” This is inaccurate. The
District immediately took action and notified the parent of the student regarding the text
messages. Additionally, Rich was directed to not return to campus. The parent did not want to
pursue criminal charges and was supportive of the District’s actions. Even so, we understand the
importance of notifying the Arkansas Department of Human Services of potential child abuse.
As a result of our review, we reinforced our procedures for any reports of this nature. There are
clear expectations on who should provide those notifications when reporting is necessary. We are
committed to making this important subject an ongoing topic of training with all district
employees.

Finally, even though Rich’s background would not have been flagged and would not have
prevented him from volunteering, we intensified our focus on providing a safe and secure
environment for all students in not only athletics, but in all areas of our school system, as any
current volunteer would attest.

Cabot Public Schools prides itself on the support and love of our students, staff, families, and
community members. When we need to improve, we commit to making those changes. When we
are presented with opportunities to be better, we will always take them. Brad Rich’s actions
exploited our trust and confidence. His behavior was inexcusable. Our heart goes out to the
members of our Panther family who were affected by the actions of Brad Rich.