(WAVE/WKYT) – WAVE News has learned the terms of a settlement between a basketball coach accused of sexual misconduct and Shelby County Schools.
In the agreement, former coach Chris Gaither agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential. However, WAVE News submitted an open records request and received those terms ourselves.
In late 2025, former Collins High School student Hayley Weddle came forward on Facebook, claiming Gaither had groomed her.
In a letter, Weddle claims that in June 2014, two weeks after she graduated, Gaither kissed her after she’d finished babysitting his children.
Weddle also posted that the next day she was back at Gaither’s home, and he invited her into his bedroom, touched her and then initiated sex.
This prompted other former students in the district to come forward with their own experiences with Shelby County Schools staff.
In January, Shelby County Schools confirmed Gaither had been fired.
While he appealed that decision, we’ve learned Gaither has settled with Shelby County Schools.
Some of the terms of that settlement include Gaither initiating his resignation effective June 30th, and the district paying him his salary through that date.
The district’s insurance company will also pay Gaither $5,000, and he will not be allowed to apply for a position within the district in the future.
While Gaither agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential, Kentucky lawmakers have taken strides to maintain transparency when it comes to agreements related to sexual misconduct involving a minor.
State Senator Aaron Reed filed to add an emergency clause to HB 253, stating public schools cannot enter into non-disclosure agreements when it comes to these types of cases. That law was passed this spring.
WAVE News reached out to Institutional Complicity Kentucky, a group formed by former Shelby County Schools students who tell me they’ve experienced sexual misconduct from district employees.
They sent us this statement:
Transparency and accountability remain central to ICKY’s mission.
We believe public trust is best served when information is shared openly and communities are given the opportunity to fully understand decisions that affect students, families, educators, and taxpayers. Any practice, process, or agreement that limits transparency or discourages open discussion raises important concerns and deserves thoughtful public scrutiny.
Our commitment to these principles remains unchanged, and we will continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and informed public dialogue.
-Laura Wills-Coppelman, co-founder of ICKY
Read the full settlement between Shelby County Schools and Gaither below:
Kentucky State Police is investigating the allegations against Gaither.