BUTLER TWP — The coach of the Butler High School girls’ varsity basketball team will be investigated by the Butler School District.

Jones Passodelis, a law firm in Pittsburgh, will lead an independent investigation for the district, not to exceed $20,000.

The school board voted Monday night to hire the firm to do the investigation of head coach Dorothea Epps.

“We believe that because of the complexity of the issue, it was best to bring a special counsel for this investigation,” said Dale Lumley, superintendent.

Parents of basketball players during a school board meeting in January spoke about Epps, who has been the head coach since 2003.

Since that meeting, the board has met in executive session with basketball parents, students and the coach on at least three occasions during school board meetings.

Epps declined to comment this morning.