By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

The Hoover City School Board has set a special-called meeting Thursday, Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hoover City Board of Education to decide the fate of suspended Spain Park High School head football coach David Shores.

Hoover School Board President A.W. Bolt said Superintendent Andy Craig recommended Shores’ coaching contract be terminated. Bolt said Spain Park principal Chris Shaw agreed with Craig’s recommendation.

Shores’ three-year coaching contract is set to expire following the 2010 season.

Stacy Payne, the mother of senior team captain Alex Payne, said the recommendation is “setting a horrible precedent for Spain Park.” Payne’s oldest son Zach also played under Shores at Spain Park.

“I’m very upset and extremely disappointed,” Payne said. “I think it sets a horrible precedent. I’ve taught my kids differently. I think they have the reputation to prove it. It’s not Upwards football.”

In a statement from Craig, Craig recommended that the board hold a special-called meeting to consider whether Shores should be terminated from his position as head football coach at Spain Park.

“At a hearing involving the termination of an employment contract, witnesses will be called to present evidence,” Craig said in the statement. “While this matter is time sensitive, Shores must be given sufficient time to prepare for the hearing and to present evidence. The proposed time and date for the hearing on this matter are subject to the availability of the board members, Shores and his attorneys.”

Bolt said Shores was told about the meeting before Craig released a statement to the media about the special-called meeting.

“(The timing of the meeting) had something to do with the availability of board members and to give Shores and his attorneys time to prepare for the meeting,” Bolt said.

Shores was placed on paid administrative leave following an alleged physical altercation with a player at a team practice Aug. 24. An investigation into the incident by the Hoover City School Board has been ongoing since the incident occurred.

Shores’ attorney Matt Goforth did not immediately provide comment when reached by phone.