Wow, these coaches are getting SO rich (that's sarcasm, folks). This has been done for around 75 years. I believe Coach Ogle decided to go elsewhere for better pay, and businessmen got together and sweetened the reason to stay. When the DHS band director asked for more money, he was turned down. So he left, and Carl Schwuchow came to Decatur.

This money probably doesn't even pay for the copy paper they use (which the school does not pay for).

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In effect, says "booster" clubs serve no purpose. They need to take the investigation to Hartselle, they'll find more than chump change involved there.

The Alabama Ethics Commission should look at how funds in various politically elected and appointed offices are being disbursed. Payback for campaign contributions and misuse of public funds are fare more important that a few thank you gifts to coaches. This is totally ridiculous and in itself a waste of publics funding.

Nichols is a band man it is payback to coaches...

"All of the gifts were more than $25, which violates a 2010 state law prohibiting state employees from receiving gifts of more than $25" . . . . . . Like it or not foks it is the law. You make think it is stupid and absurd (so do I), but when we make exceptions to the law you end up with people who think they are above the law and can decided which if any they will follow. They are there for a reason and until they change, you are bound by their legality.

Mr Nichols had no choice in this matter. How about DD print how much supplement each coach receives to coach, and if the coaches don't like the supplement pay, go elsewhere!

so now they will break in down in to multiple 24 dollar bribes for the rich kids to play simple

To Thomas, investigation occured a couple of years back. It came back clean. Why worry about Hartselle when you live in Decatur?

What's real funny is some of these people are volunteer coaches! They are doing this out of their own free will and now they're getting punished! I see where Alex Cooper is listed as a volunteer coach but what about Beth Adams? Is this the same Beth Adams who is a 3rd grade teacher at Walter Jackson? Does she even have a kid on the team or was she a volunteer helping out? I mean come on, yes the law is the law but why punish volunteers by taking a little bit of money away from them? The way things are going now, they got a tank of gas out of the deal!

Doesn't matter if they got a tank of gas or a piece of bubble gum....if it was worth more than $25 they are guilty of ethics violation pure and simple!!!!!! Don't accept gifts.....

hey thomas from decatur

woryy about your little drs. brats and thats all you need to worry about. oh and the thugs you have.

This is NOT a Decatur/Hartselle pissing contest. Some of you need to take valium and relax.

Dr. Nichols inherited this issue - he didn't create it. And, another commenter is correct, they SELF reported. If they were attempting to hide something, they would have never reported it in the first place. The whole things is silly and is only a problem because the funds were maintained by the school. If they established private booster clubs like several of the other schools, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I certainly hope that our DA and/or AG have enough sense to leave this alone. After all, (1) They self reported, (2) The money has been repaid, (3) They will likely pay a fine. To spend one more cent of tax payer money on this would be, at the very least, fiscally irresponsible.