Pender County Board of Education releases independent investigator’s report on Topsail Wresting Program

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Board of Education has released a redacted version of its independent investigator’s report regarding the Topsail High School wrestling program.

The outcome of the investigation found “substantial evidence that there was sufficient cause for termination of Coach Smith, as an at-will employee or otherwise,” a press release stated.

Following the investigator’s findings, the Board of Education says they have taken disciplinary action against eight employees, including Coach Pete Smith, for negligence and/or misconduct in the performance of their duties related to the Topsail High School wrestling program. The nature and details of the disciplinary actions remain confidential due to personnel privacy laws.

The initial investigative effort was in response to significant concerns brought to the Board’s attention by both school system staff and a significant portion of the THS community, according to a March press release.