2009-04-10
Emilie Pearson
Grand Junction High School physical education teacher and varsity track coach Darrell Simonton was placed on administrative leave after allegedly getting into an altercation on Wednesday. According to The Daily Sentinel, Simonton, 45, Dustin Foraker, 27, and Clay Girtman, 19, were issued summonses by officers with the Grand Junction Police Department at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday at 2555 F 1/2 Road on suspicion of disorderly conduct and fighting in public. Foraker is listed as living at the F 1/2 Road address. The Sentinel reported Girtman as saying Foraker, who is Simonton’s son-in-law, was seen at Old Chicago’s on Wednesday night threatening him and his family and had spit in Simonton’s wife’s face.
Substitute teachers and assistant track coach Sean Mulvey will be taking care of Simonton’s classes and track duties. Principal John Bilbo says that Simonton is not fired or suspended, but on administrative leave indefinitely, pending the investigation.
Foraker told The Daily Sentinel that he wants to “put it all behind him.”
Efforts to contact Simonton and Girtman were unsuccessful on Friday.


