RICHMOND – Reacting to a lawsuit filed by fired former Superintendent Mike Aytes, the Richmond Board of Education denied the suit’s most explosive allegation – that head football coach Nick Persell acted in a sexually harassing manner toward an athletic trainer, Savanna Nobile. The board filed answers to each allegation made in the suit. The board agreed to a report that could not be denied: Persell violated a Missouri State High School Activities Association practice rule that led to a MSHSAA reprimand. But the board denied the allegation that members resented Aytes for supporting Richmond High School Principal John Parker, who notified MSHSAA of the violation. The board further agreed to another report that could not be denied: Persell violated another MSHSAA rule and received another reprimand. The board denied knowledge that Nobile reported Persell’s alleged “sexually harassing” actions. The board also denied knowing Ayes arranged with the board’s attorney to investigate…