NK Superintendent Resigns Amidst “Fat-Testing” Coach Investigation Into What School Officials Knew

NK Superintendent Resigns Amidst “Fat-Testing” Coach Investigation Into What School Officials Knew

North Kingstown Superintendent Phil Auger has resigned, as an investigation continues into who knew what — and when — about allegations of naked ‘fat tests’ being conducted by former boys’ basketball coach Aaron Thomas dating back to 2018. 

GoLocal obtained a copy of Auger’s resignation statement Wednesday morning, in which he said he believed he had “behaved appropriately” based on “what he knew at the time.”

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s office -- as well as the North Kingstown School Committee --  are currently investigating the allegations that Thomas had players disrobe for naked “fat-tests.”

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SEE LETTER BELOW 

Auger wrote the following:

Members of the North Kingstown School Community:

I am writing to announce my resignation as Superintendent of the North Kingstown School Department, effective immediately. Our school community is working through its investigation around allegations involving Mr. Thomas at NKHS, and I respect the importance to move forward with a new district leader who is in no way connected to these matters. For my response to Mr. Thomas, I remain steadfast in the knowledge that I acted appropriately and immediately in the best interests of students past and present, with the information I had at the time, and I stand by my remarks made at our November 16, 2021 School Committee meeting. 

To paraphrase from the statement: I want our students to have a school experience where they know they are safe and they know they can trust in the adults who oversee their education, and I am dedicated to doing whatever needs to be done, including now to offer my own resignation, to make sure NKSD has the trust of our community and to support our students, past and present, to learn from this, process, and to heal.