A Gunter High School teacher and coach is set to be fired over “inappropriate comments.”
Head baseball coach and business teacher James Daryl Hellman was placed on paid administrative leave while Gunter Independent School District officials investigated misconduct allegations against him.
According to a September 1 statement from Gunter ISD Superintendent Brandon Enos, the district completed its investigation and determined Hellman needs to go.
“Coach Hellman will remain on administrative leave with pay, and he will not be returning to duty pending a recommendation by the Superintendent to the Board to terminate or nonrenew Mr. Hellman’s contract and suspend him without pay,” Enos stated.
Gunter ISD trustees will consider initiating the process to oust Hellman during their September 21 school board meeting.
Texas law requires trustees to notify term contract employees of their intent to terminate a contract for “good cause” or suspend an employee without pay for the remainder of their contract term. Employees then have 15 days to request a hearing to appeal the trustees’ decision.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” Enos said the district had also notified parents, law enforcement, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Texas Education Agency about the allegations against Hellman.
Enos said district officials will continue to “fully cooperate with all state agencies.”
No other details about the allegations against Hellman have been released, and Hellman has not faced any criminal charges or administrative sanctions. The state’s definition of reportable child abuse includes a variety of physical, mental, and sexual injuries.
Enos said the district will be selecting a new head baseball coach for the remainder of the school year “in the following weeks.”
“The welfare of our GISD students is our top priority, and we are committed to providing students with a supportive environment to pursue excellence in their education, athletics, and other endeavors,” added Enos.
Online records show Hellman has worked for Gunter ISD since the 2018-19 school year and previously taught in Pilot Point ISD.
According to Grayson County Line, Gunter ISD has maintained one of the North Texas area’s strongest high school baseball programs under Hellman’s coaching.
Hellman received a lifetime certification to teach physical education in 1994. He was certified to teach biology in 2000 and currently holds additional credentials to teach health and business and to serve as a principal.
Hellman’s certifications are not currently under review by the TEA.
Enos encouraged anyone with additional information about Hellman’s misconduct to contact DFPS or the Gunter Police Department.
Questions can be directed to the superintendent or board members.
The TEA’s Educator Misconduct Reporting Dashboard shows the agency is currently investigating more than 13,000 misconduct complaints and opening an average of 1,141 new cases each month. Misconduct reports tripled in 2026.
