OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla.,None — Saint Cloud High School's football coach, under investigation for allegedly letting a homeless player stay at his house, was back in the classroom and on the field Monday. Coach Bill Buldini could be fined for allowing the player to stay at his home.
There is no word on how long the Florida High School Athletic Association's (FHSAA) investigation of the coach will take.
Buldini also teaches social studies classes.
"I don't really see much wrong with that, maybe they're just thinking too hard into it because if he has nowhere else to go, someone needs to give him help," said student Melanie Hernandez.
An Osceola County School District spokeswoman says Buldini did not coach Friday's game because of the investigation.
Coach Bill Buldini 092710 Coach Bill Buldini The FHSAA has a rule in place that states: "No school employee, athletic department staff member or representative of the school's athletic interests may be involved, directly or indirectly, in promising, offering free or reduced-cost rent for housing."
"If you need a home, if you get kicked out, then you should have a home to stay. You shouldn't be left on the streets," student Kristi Lakin said.
The FHSAA has the rule in place to prevent illegal recruitment or favoritism.
The school district says Buldini did not break any district rules, therefore he is allowed to keep teaching and coaching.
Buldini was hired in Osceola County in 2007 as a coach. He gets a stipend of $3,850, but if found guilty of breaking the rules he may not get all of that. The FHSAA says St. Cloud High School could be fined thousands of dollars and may have to forfeit some football victories.
The student's name who's involved was not released. The school district says it works with students who are in transition, homeless, or live in cars.
WFTV tried to reach coach Buldini for comment, but he didn't return any phone calls.
WFTV
