Saturday, May 02, 2026

Former Neosho teacher/ girls basketball coach under fire after sexual assault allegation

Former Neosho High School girls basketball coach Matt Hixson, who was recently fired from his position as a corporal with the Bella Vista, Arkansas Police Department following a sexual assault allegation, is now in danger of losing his law enforcement certification.

KNWA reports the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards voted April 15 to schedule a hearing on decertifying Hixson.

Hixson's problems began January 14 when a woman reported she had been sexually assailed by a Bella Vista police officer. After an investigation, though the woman eventually refused to press charges, Hixson was fired for violating several department policies, including sexual misconduct, making false statements and sexual harassment.  







Hixson was head girls basketball coach for nearly two season, but was removed from the position with three weeks left during his second season, though he retained his position as a Neosho High School teacher.

At the time, Assistant Superintendent Richie Fretwell told the Joplin Globe, "This is a personnel issue, so we can’t get into much (detail).” We just thought at this time it was time to make a change, and this is the direction we’re moving. Even with three weeks left in the season, we feel it was time for a change and a new voice in the locker room. Hopefully we can move forward for our kids’ sake and get ready for playoffs and finish the year strong.”

Fretwell added, "Mr. Hixson is a good man. I know he cared about our student-athletes and our girls basketball program. We respect that in Mr. Hixson.”

Hixson didn't return to the Neosho R-5 School District after the end of that year.



24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Its in the water.....yet another.

Anonymous said...

Matt Hixson, is a predator, hiding behind his badge and authority. And for this Worthless Worm - Assistant Superintendent Richie Fretwell told the Joplin Globe, "This is a personnel issue, so we can’t get into much (detail).” NO THIS IS A CRIMINAL ISSUES - RICHIE FRETWELL - - Maybe your Job needs to put on the Line - DO YOUR DAMN JOB - RITCHIE - YOU IDIOT!

Anonymous said...

Assistant Superintendent Richie Fretwell? Isn't he gone from Neosho R-5 as well? Didn't he have a taxpayer funded don't work and get paid from home deal?




Anonymous said...

People are going to be asking questions about all this!

"Manley, like Fretwell, and Jim Cummins, the retired superintendent, who brought them to Neosho, came to the R-5 District from Seneca, where Manley served as a principal." https://rturner229.blogspot.com/2025/02/second-neosho-r-5-administrator-out.html

Hmmmm.

Anonymous said...

We have got to Stop these Schools / Administrators / Teachers - from hiding corruption and using hardworking taxpayers' money - to constantly cover up their mistakes. Fire their Azzes - No Severance - The Taxpayers should not have to Pay for so much incompetence!

Anonymous said...

Let's blame everyone but Mr.Hixon...he's the piece of garbage here. Neosho Schools, Jasper County Sheriffs Department, and now Bella Vista know his true colors. He knows how to stay just above the law...





Anonymous said...

Neosho is toxic. Period. Good ol' boy, buddy, classmate, know their parents, political pull, who knows who. BS games.

Anonymous said...

Neosho is toxic... Jim Davis is a disaster and either the board is content with the dumpster fire he has created or they are complete idiots.

I'm sure he will pay Kilgore's son-in-law $1500 to play 3 songs again during our year end celebration. Just keep us distracted and we won't make our way to the lifeboats. In his eyes we are all incompetent idiots.

Anonymous said...

I’m curious- does Fretwell still think Hixson is a good guy after everything that was said about him on Social media by Hixson, his dad, and his Army friend Kent?

Anonymous said...

Mr hixson is caught once again with his pants down !! This is not looking good for him! First jasper county sheriff, then Neosho school district soccer coach, and then girls basketball coach , and now sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and lies at the Bella Vista Police Department and was terminated from that job as a cop . He is a liar and always has people covering for him . But now he is caught red handed with his pants down in bed with someone who is not his wife . Let’s just hope and pray that more women will come forward on his day at the decertification hearing and he looses everything!! One day he may just mess with the wrong women or daughter ! This guy needs to be stopped before he does this to more women , but he will likely go back to teaching after he loses his certification as a cop , Stay tuned in and give it some time and you will hear about him again on the news or on social media. He needs some prison time with big bubba !!

Anonymous said...

This seems like the same cycle happening again. I’m curious what his next move will be, particularly when it comes to teaching, coaching, or law enforcement.

Anonymous said...

I hope ozark school district sees this post , Richie Fretwell and Jim Cummings was a big part of standing up and protecting Matt hixson , if you remember the Joplin globe wrote about Richie Fretwell saying how good of a man Mr hixson was . But then removed him as the basketball coach , why would you do that ? Oh Obviously he done something wrong to be let go as a coach . There are many things that were swept under the rug by Richie Fretwell and Mr Jim Cummings ! I hope this comes full circle and bits all 3 guys . If these people did there job right , Mr hixson wouldn’t have been a cop or been able to do this to another women as a cop if they didn’t stand behind him . Bad cop x2 , bad teacher x1, bad soccer coach x1 and bad basketball coach x1 . No more !! He needs put away !

Anonymous said...

Some people on the internet are wondering how much junk can a guy have in his trunk.

Anonymous said...

Once a sexual predator/ always a sexual predator ! You can’t change him , (lock the 🐷up)

Anonymous said...

Let’s give him a promotion like the plaque he is holding . A promotion straight to prison where he belongs so he can’t hurt anymore family’s with his nonsense, lies and corruption and threats

Anonymous said...

He always thought he was the cock of the walk around Neosho . Above every one else and would never get caught for the things he’s done . Guess what , you got busted . Time to pay the price .

Anonymous said...

He wanted all the women and young girls in Neosho to call him “ matt thickson “🤮 I remember this clearly . If I’m not mistaken I think I even saw a picture of him holding a sign that said Matt thickson floating around on social media . He is one sick individual.

Anonymous said...

7:05 , the reason Richie Fretwell posted That it was a personal matter is because it involve a minor at that time and they can not put a minors name in the globe .

Anonymous said...

Decertification is open to the public ! Hope a lot of people in Arkansas and Missouri show up to voice what has happened to them in regards to this peace of crap cop

Anonymous said...

Do yourself a favor , move far away from Arkansas, you have created enough problems in our nice town you dirty cop ! Pack your bags and get out of town !

Anonymous said...

I'll say it again, there's pedo bacteria living in the water in the 4states!......that's why I only drink bottled water and beer.

Anonymous said...

He will just jump to another town , and do the same thing . Stay tuned

Anonymous said...

That is not true! She was not a Minor!

Anonymous said...

He’s in Nixa, and yes he was getting paid to sit at home!