Asbury High School principal Clay Webber is calling out Marshall County Schools leadership over what he claims was a “misleading” statement about an unnamed coach placed on leave over allegations of an “inappropriate” student relationship.
The school district issued a statement Friday, saying Asbury staff first learned of the alleged relationship on November 17 after a staff member overheard a conversation between two students. However, the district claimed that Webber did not notify the deputy superintendent until December 17, a month later.
However, Webber issued a statement disputing the timeline of events surrounding the incident and called the district's statement “misleading.”
“The statement released to the media this evening by Marshall County Schools is misleading and does not accurately reflect what took place at Asbury High School in relation to this matter, nor does it take into account previous communication/reports to law enforcement,” Webber said.
“While I am limited in what I can share due to the nature of personnel issues and an active investigation, I can guarantee that all legally required protocols were followed and that the Marshall County Sheriff's Department can confirm this as well," he added. "I have devoted more than 18 years to public education, and unfortunately, rumors do arise from time to time in school settings. Rumors are not the same as substantiated complaints or allegations.”
Webber continued, “I received a substantiated complaint/allegation on December 17th, 2025. A formal report was filed immediately at that time, in accordance with policy and legal requirements, and the appropriate district/external authorities were notified. Once the Sheriff's Department became involved, the investigation proceeded independently of the school, and Asbury High School cooperated fully at every stage. Asbury High School remains committed to transparency, due process, and maintaining the trust of our students, families, and community."
1819 News asked Webber about the November 17 incident mentioned by the district and also requested Marshall County Schools superintendent Cindy Wigley to respond to Webber’s claim that the district's statement was misleading. Wigley declined to comment.
Webber told 1819 News, "There have been multiple situations preceding, related to and leading up to the current matter in question since the beginning of November. There have been multiple reports and conversations with law enforcement each step of the way. In addition to my statement released yesterday, that’s all I can share at this time."
Wigley and Webber are running against each other in the Republican primary for superintendent on May 19.
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