North Hall High principal Gary Brown confirmed Wednesday that Debbie Blake is no longer coaching the girls basketball team at the school.

In a statement released by the Hall County Board of Education, Brown said Blake had left the position, effective immediately.

The statement also said Blake remains under contract with Hall County and had not been fired from her position.

However, several players and a former player said Tuesday that Blake had not been at the school since last Thursday.

Blake confirmed in a telephone interview that she will return to her teaching position Thursday.

Hall County schools spokesperson Gordon Higgins said Wednesday that Blake "is and will be an employee of the school system until she decides otherwise, but that will be her decision."