CAMPBELL — A Campbell teacher who went on trial in February on theft charges related to coaching soccer will return to school as a teacher this fall, but not as a coach.

Elementary and middle school physical education teacher Phil Atsas, 56, has been on paid administrative duties and working from home since Sept. 10, 2019, because of an investigation into school-related disciplinary matters, but an agreement approved by the Campbell Board of Education on June 25 brings him back to work this school year.

Separately, Campbell police charged Atsas with theft by deception related to Nov. 19, 2019, allegations from Campbell Superintendent Matthew Bowen regarding money Atsas collected from families to allow their children to play soccer at a Liberty indoor soccer facility in 2017.

But a jury in Campbell Municipal Court found him not guilty.

The school district and Atsas finalized the agreement signed by Bowen on June 25.

The disciplinary matters were related to his actions as coach of the Campbell Memorial High School soccer team, which is for boys and girls, such as using a game-ineligible student in a game sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, which is not allowed.

He also did not comply with the terms of his assignment to work at home, the school district alleged. He attended the Youngstown District Scholastic Coaches Association fall meeting last year, purporting to represent the school district, the letter states.

He also “was not forthcoming during the (school) district’s investigation of his conduct,” but the letter states that Atsas denies all three allegations.

The agreement states Atsas agrees not to apply for, accept or engage in any employment with the district for any coaching duties until January 2022.

He also will be deemed to have been suspended from his employment as a teacher from March 9-12 for conduct that put him on paid administrative duties.

Atsas already was paid for the four days, so four days worth of pay will be deducted from four pay periods following the ratification of the agreement by the Campbell Board of Education.

The agreement states a goal of providing Atsas with a “clean slate” regarding discipline from 2014 and 2015, so school district letters to Atsas on Nov. 21, 2014, and Sept. 3, 2015, are “expunged from Atsas’ personnel file,” the agreement states.

For Ohio Public Records Act purposes, however, the letters will be kept in the treasurer’s office.

Atsas agrees to complete a program of no more than three hours on professional conduct and ethics in the workplace of an educational institution. The program must be completed by the end of the 2020-21 school year.

A grievance involving Atsas in arbitration is withdrawn, and Atsas will receive his full compensation for his contract as high school soccer coach for last year.

The agreement “has no connection to and shall not be used or considered in any manner … in Atsas’ threatened civil litigation that relates to” the criminal charges filed against him last year, the agreement states.

Atsas has coached the Campbell Memorial High School soccer team at various times over the years, but the criminal charges related to children too young to play at the high school level.

Atsas has been a teacher with the district since 1995. A Sept. 10, 2019, school district memo states Atsas was placed on administrative leave pending a school investigation of allegations, including “blatant disregard for recent and past corrective disciplinary reprimands and school board policy,” and other misconduct.

runyan@tribtoday.com