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Another coach in the Celina Independent School District is on leave because of allegations of inappropriate conduct. Celina ISD Coach on Leave What we know: Celina High School teacher and wrestling coach Neil Phillips was placed on administrative leave on Friday, according to a letter the district sent to parents. Celina ISD said the action was taken as soon as it learned of allegations that Phillips may have been involved in inappropriate conduct while working in the Melissa Independent School District. The district said Phillips was hired before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. At that time, there was no evidence of an active or past investigation linked to his teaching certification with the Texas Education Agency. Celina ISD said Phillips is on leave while the district investigates that discrepancy. What they're saying: "We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are committed to addressing it with the care, attention, and transparency that our students, parents/guardians, and community deserve. The safety, well-being, and education of our students remain our highest priorities," Celina High School Principal John Burdett said in the letter to parents. What we don't know: Celina ISD did not elaborate on the allegations against Phillips. Melissa ISD hasn’t yet responded to FOX 4’s request for information. There's no word of a criminal investigation. Celina ISD Teachers Arrested The backstory: Two other Celina ISD teachers have been in the news recently following arrests. Caleb Elliott, a history teacher and football coach at Moore Middle School, was arrested in October after being accused of secretly recording boys in a locker room. A lawsuit claims Elliott had a sexual relationship with a student while working at Celina High School. The district quietly moved him to the middle school in an attempt to cover it up, the suit claims. Once at the middle school, Elliott allegedly recorded images of more than 30 boys in the locker room. Police said investigators found images of dozens of students on his phone. He is now facing charges of invasive recording and was placed on administrative leave "indefinitely." Elliott is the son of Bill Elliott, Celina ISD’s athletic director and the head coach of the Celina High School football team. Both Bill Elliott and the principal of Moore Middle School were placed on leave for the district’s independent investigation into Caleb Elliott. Another Moore Middle School teacher, Jainya Walder, was arrested this past Thursday afternoon after she was accused of being impaired in her classroom. The 40-year-old English teacher is now charged with endangering a child.
