BELGRADE — Nearly one month after being placed on administrative leave, Belgrade athletic director Rick Phillips returned to his position on Wednesday.
The decision came after a nearly four-hour school board meeting held at Belgrade High School on Tuesday night. Phillips confirmed to MTN Sports that he would resume his regular responsibilities as athletic director beginning Wednesday, but would comment no further.
Phillips, Montana’s 2014 athletic director of the year, was placed on administrative leave in late February, less than two weeks before Belgrade hosted the combined Class B boys and girls basketball state tournaments. At the time, Belgrade superintendent Godfrey Saunders told MTN Sports he “couldn’t comment on personnel issues.”
The school board was expected to hold a vote to determine Phillips’ employment with the school on Tuesday night, but after a closed-door meeting with Phillips and his lawyer, came to a decision to reinstate him.
The school board declined to comment on the decision.
Story by Brooke Leonard, MTN News
