Following accusations of misrepresentation and subsequent fallout, many questions still remain unanswered concerning resigned Fountain Hills High School science teacher and volleyball coach Christie Slegers.

Slegers was initially placed on administrative leave and eventually resigned following an investigation that resulted from a parent contacting the district and media with concerns over her educational and athletic credentials.

She dated her resignation on Oct. 14, which was accepted by the School Board Oct. 22.

According to the original accusations, Slegers presented herself to the district and community as “Dr.” Slegers, with no proof of a doctorate. She also claimed to be an Olympic silver medalist, though no record of that accomplishment has yet been provided, either.

Slegers had served as a long-term substitute for FHUSD before being brought on as a full-time teacher during the 2013-14 academic year.

Resignation

According to Slegers, though, her claims are legitimate.

In her letter of resignation, Slegers stated she plans to provide FHUSD with proof of her background but, following the accusations, she felt she could no longer teach or coach in Fountain Hills now that her “name and background have been questioned and slandered.”

Resume

The matter gets a bit murkier when it comes to Slegers’ academic representation of herself.

Her resume provided to FHUSD does not list a doctorate, nor does it mention playing for the U.S. Volleyball Team or receiving an Olympic medal.

According to that resume, Slegers received a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Hamline University before going on to get her teaching certification for high school science and coaching certification from St. Cloud State University.

On FHUSD’s application under “what extracurricular activities are you willing to sponsor or coach?,” Slegers listed volleyball.

According to FHUSD Superintendent Tom Lawrence, this was the information referenced in the original background check and hiring of Slegers, which all checked out at the time.

“When we have a prospective employee and they are chosen as a candidate, then there is a background check done,” Lawrence continued.

“What they present to us in their application -- with verified transcripts -- that is how their contract is determined. That’s why she was on a BA-60, because she provided us with a BA and the 60 additional hours were from St. Cloud. That’s how her contract was developed.”

Sometime afterwards, however, Slegers went on to represent herself as “Dr. Slegers,” with the title listed on her FHHS website profile until recently. Slegers was also introduced in the community and referred to by FHUSD personnel as “Dr. Slegers.”

No proof has yet been provided concerning her supposed doctorate.

In her resignation, Slegers wrote, “Over the past 1.5 years, I’ve done nothing other than try to improve the Biology education of FHHS students and during the past 4.5 months help volleyball players unleash their athletic abilities.

“I do not deserve this character assassination.”

She further adds, “…The events of the past two weeks have caused me great mental anguish and have been very upsetting to me…I do not deserve being treated like this.

“My attorney and I will be watching for any press or communications regarding me and my supposed ‘lacking’ background…

“As stated earlier, I will provide you with proof of my background.”

Investigation

Being a personnel matter, Lawrence said he was not able to comment on many facets of this incident, including the process of FHUSD’s investigation, nor potential action within the district as a result of the incident.

The concerned parent reached out to media outlets earlier in October, after contacting the district multiple times regarding the matter. His argument was that proof was provided by him concerning the misrepresentations of Slegers yet, a month later, no action had been taken.

On Sept. 29, High School Principal Tom Brennan stated in an email to the parent that the school was satisfied with the information Slegers provided and “consider this matter closed.”

But while the information Slegers originally provided to FHUSD was accurate in regards to her hiring, it was her misrepresentation of herself after the fact that provided cause for concern and, according to the parent, was being overlooked by district officials and the School Board.

According to that same email, however, Brennan stated that, “Dr. Slegers was injured during the ’84 games and thus was not on the active roster for the Olympics. However, she is considered a member of the 1984 USA volleyball team and rightly earned an Olympic silver medal along with her teammates.”

It is not known where Brennan had originally obtained that information.

Brennan has referred media inquiries to the district office and to the official FHUSD statement released late last week by Lawrence (see elsewhere for that statement in its entirety).

The Times has reached out to USA Volleyball for clarification, but a response was not provided as of press time.

According to Lawrence, the issue was still being looked into at the time, as Slegers was granted an opportunity to provide proof of her claims.

“We had to afford her [Slegers] appropriate due process,” Lawrence explained in an interview with The Times following the board’s decision to accept Slegers’ resignation.

In a statement from the district, the matter is further explained.

“Accordingly, the district directed her to come forward with evidence to confirm her representations,” reads the statement.

“Unfortunately, she did not present the district with sufficient evidence to confirm her representations.”

School Board President Helen Howard was asked to comment on the situation and the administration’s handling of it, but she declined, referring back to the district’s written statement.

Lawrence said he would not comment further on any of the issues beyond what was in the district’s statement.

When asked for comment, Slegers has not returned phone messages left by The Times.

After being met at her front door two weeks ago by a Channel 5 television crew, Slegers did respond “yes” to a reporter’s question on whether or not she possessed a Ph.D., but then denied further comment.