P'burg inquiry records coming Lawyer reconsiders opinion. Coach's expense vouchers asked for. Saturday, July 22, 2006 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times Vouchers and receipts from a Phillipsburg High School wrestling trip that are part of an investigation into coach Rick Thompson will be released Monday, the school district's labor attorney said Friday. The district this week denied a request by The Express-Times to examine the records, saying they were part of an ongoing investigation and not in the public interest. Attorney Richard Bauch said he reconsidered his opinion Friday after speaking with Tom Cafferty, legal counsel for the New Jersey Press Association. The newspaper also issued a complaint with the state Government Records Council, which was established to help resolve disputes under New Jersey's open records law. "You'll have your documents Monday after I write an opinion (for the school district)," Bauch said. "I'll make sure the documents are ready for you Monday morning. But I have to give (the district) a recommendation. It will be done first thing Monday morning." The expense sheets sought by the newspaper were submitted by Thompson after a March wrestling trip to the NJSIAA State Championships in Atlantic City. School officials said the vouchers are part of the investigation of Thompson, who also serves as fall cross-country coach and a health and physical education teacher. The school board has given Thompson a Rice notice, an action taken when a government body plans to discuss an employee's performance or job status. The board met behind closed doors to discuss the investigation for two hours Monday night; Thompson was not in the room. Cafferty said the expense records are public and should be released immediately because they existed prior to the investigation and were not a product of it. Thompson, of Lower Nazareth Township, said Thursday that the school district owes him money. He has declined comment on the investigation. The school board is expected to approve the 2006-07 coaches for all sports during Monday's school board meeting. Thompson's status as cross country and wrestling coach is expected to become more clear as a result. The former two-time state wrestling champ at Phillipsburg has been removed as wrestling coach twice before and was hired for a third stint for the 2003-04 school year. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.