At a Glance
- Parents confronted the Celina ISD board 108 days after 38 boys were found secretly recorded by former coach Caleb Elliott
- Bill Elliott, father of the accused and district athletic director, remains employed despite parent outrage
- Allison Ginn, the middle-school principal who was placed on leave, drew emotional pleas for reinstatement
- Why it matters: Families say students still fear entering the locker room and distrust district leadership
Parents packed a special Celina ISD board meeting Monday to demand answers about the handling of a hidden-camera scandal that has roiled the district since last fall.
108 Days of Anger
The session opened with a stark reminder of how long families have waited for action.
“It has been 108 days since 38 families got the call that pictures of our boys in various states of undress were identified in Caleb Elliott’s phone,” one mother told trustees.
The board convened to receive the findings of a third-party investigation into Caleb Elliott, the former Moore Middle School football coach arrested for allegedly recording students in the locker room. While the report was not released publicly, parents used the forum to escalate pressure on the district over the continued employment of Bill Elliott, Caleb’s father and the district’s head football coach and athletic director.
“How can you expect 38 young men to go to school next year and be coached by the man who hired, managed, probably twice bailed out and sheltered the person responsible for these heinous crimes?” a mother asked. “How can you put them in that position?”
Demand for Fair Policies
Several speakers argued that keeping Bill Elliott on staff sends the wrong message about accountability.
“Parents and students deserve to know that policies are being applied fairly and without favoritism,” said the father of both a Moore Middle and a Celina High student.
The district has placed Allison Ginn, Moore Middle School principal, on paid administrative leave while the investigation proceeds. Parents voiced strong support for her return.
“I believe with all my heart that people are put in certain places at certain times,” said Troy Davis. “Ms. Ginn is the principal when we need her the most.”
A Child’s Plea
The meeting took an emotional turn when Penny, Ginn’s third-grade daughter, stepped to the microphone.
“Things at home feel different, and that makes me sad,” she said. “I don’t want my mom to cry anymore or feel hurt. I don’t want her to miss any more of my awards or my sister’s dancing. I want my mom to be happy again, and do the job she loves so much.”
Her statement drew audible reactions from the audience.
Legal Fallout
Multiple lawsuits against both Caleb Elliott and the district are advancing, according to attorneys for the alleged victims.
“A lot of them can’t go into that locker room, as you might imagine, or have anything to do with the sports program at Celina ISD because either they or their parents are not satisfied, and I don’t blame them,” said Paul Herz, counsel for several students. “They’re not satisfied that it’s any safer than it was in October.”
No Action Monday Night
The board adjourned without announcing any personnel changes. District officials did not respond to requests for comment on the investigation’s findings or the status of Bill Elliott and Allison Ginn.
Families left the meeting with the same questions they brought in: who will be held accountable and when will students feel safe again?
