Parents allege harassment and assault in Castile High volleyball program; urge district action

Several parents told the Chandler Unified School District governing board on Aug. 20 that they have reported repeated misconduct in the Castile High School girls volleyball program and want the district to act to protect students.

At the board’s public-comment period, Katie McPherson said multiple families had reported “misconduct and inappropriate behavior” and that one coach has been accused of alleged sexual harassment and misdemeanor assault by a former player. “Our daughters deserve a program where they can thrive,” McPherson said, and asked the district to “place Coach K, a high caliber coach, into the Castile program” and to prohibit private businesses from operating inside schools for coach-led one-on-one lessons.

Other parents described similar experiences. Kieran Mitchell said his daughter experienced what he described as abusive treatment from a coach and that the situation led to serious effects at home: “She talked about suicide. We got counseling,” Mitchell said. Will Aldis told the board his sophomore “has been bullied and harassed by the coach at Castile” and that the coach had pressured players to join his private club, saying she “would not be having playing time in school ball unless he join[ed] his club team.” Aldis said his daughter ultimately left the school.

Bridget Vega, speaking on behalf of the Penrose family, said parents requested a fresh leadership voice for the team and criticized what she called a “lack of transparency and the timing” of administrative decisions. “At some point, the girls must be prioritized,” Vega said.

Several speakers tied their concerns to districtwide patterns they said have previously surfaced in other programs. McPherson said an executive-level HR official surrendered certificates Aug. 4 in connection with not protecting students, and she told the board that other current or former employees have been scheduled for hearings. “If the state can act decisively, why can’t you?” she asked.

Board President Serrano acknowledged the seriousness of the comments and Superintendent M. Narducci told speakers the district would follow up with high school leadership, saying the administration would “immediately follow-up with our high schools and checking in on policies with sports.” The board’s public-comment period does not produce immediate board action; several parents asked the board to place new leadership for the program and to meet with affected families.

The parents who spoke requested several specific steps, including placing a new coach in Castile’s program, restricting private lessons run by outside businesses during school time, and greater transparency about investigations and outcomes. They also asked the district to revisit how athletic oversight and complaints are handled at the school and district levels.

District officials did not announce disciplinary outcomes during the meeting. The allegations raised by speakers involve criminal and personnel matters; the board did not take formal action at the meeting but the superintendent stated the district would investigate and follow up with the high schools and families.

The comments reflect an ongoing community concern about student safety and program oversight; several parents said families moved students out of district schools or transferred them due to the environment they described. The board’s next regular meeting is Sept. 10, when parents said they expect further updates about any follow-up steps or investigations.

Provenance: The subject appeared during the board’s public-comment period beginning with Katie McPherson’s remarks and concluding with the final speaker, Bridget Vega. Evidence spans the public-comment block that ran roughly from the meeting’s 94th to 104th minute, when several parents addressed the board about the Castile and other programs.