Allegations of Prior Misconduct Surface in Wake of Woodville ISD Burn Incident

Story: Sal Baldovinos

WOODVILLE, TX — May 20, 2025 As the fallout continues from the May 19 incident involving sixth-grade students suffering burns during a pre-athletics class at Woodville ISD Middle School, new allegations have emerged suggesting the district may have overlooked prior misconduct tied to Coach Kobe Adams’ employment.

A former staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted Concerned Citizens of Tyler County with a statement detailing an earlier incident during the 2023–2024 school year involving Coach Adams and then-head coach, Coach Robinson.

According to the individual, Coach Adams privately admitted to having smoked marijuana the weekend prior to a scheduled random drug test—a requirement for coaches seeking a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate activity buses. The source alleges that Coach Robinson and Adams worked together to fabricate an excuse for Adams to miss the test, fully aware that a failed result would lead to immediate termination under district policy. This alleged deception allowed Adams to avoid the original test and later pass a rescheduled screening, clearing the way for his full-time hire and placement at the junior high level for the 2024–2025 school year.

The whistleblower claims this cover-up was motivated by a close personal relationship between the two coaches, stemming from Adams being a former player under Robinson and one of his "success stories" who went on to play college football.

They further described a broader culture at Woodville ISD in which hiring and advancement are influenced more by personal ties and hometown connections than professional qualifications or student well-being.

“I’m saying all of this because it’s weighing heavy on my heart for those students,” the source stated. “I had worked with the one that would be junior high age when they came through the intermediate school.”

We are continuing to investigate these claims and have once again reached out to Superintendent Lisa Meysembourg for comment.