Parents, attorney press Portland Public Schools for fresh investigation into Lincoln basketball coach

Parents and a local attorney used the Feb. 4 public‑comment period to press Portland Public Schools to investigate alleged homophobic and racist remarks and retaliatory conduct by Lincoln High School varsity basketball coach Heather Roberts.

Parent Greg Davenport told the board he and his family previously brought allegations to district investigators and said the coach has continued "retaliatory" conduct. Davenport said he has filed complaints with the Oregon Department of Education and told the board "ODE last week has accepted my complaint and will be conducting their own investigation."

Attorney Jason Kafoury, speaking in a personal capacity, said multiple students and staff reported hearing the coach use homophobic slurs and other abusive conduct. "This is pretty easy to investigate," Kafoury said. "We've got multiple kids that will come and say, if asked by a real investigator, 'Yeah, I heard her say it.'" He urged the district to conduct a thorough investigation and to review internal files, including complaints from an assistant coach.

Davenport and Kafoury urged the superintendent to investigate Lincoln athletic director Matt Wiles' public memo stating the district investigation "did not find evidence of homophobic or racially discriminatory behavior" in the Lincoln basketball program. Davenport asked administrators to review who was interviewed and whether the investigation captured student witnesses.

Superintendent Armstrong and staff did not announce new administrative actions at the Feb. 4 meeting. Davenport said ODE has accepted his complaint and requested the district coordinate with state investigators.