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Parents urge Chandler Unified to act after allegations of misconduct in Castile High volleyball program
Summary
Several parents told the Chandler Unified School District board Aug. 20 that alleged misconduct by a Castile High volleyball coach — including sexual-harassment and assault claims, intimidation and private-business conflicts — has harmed players and that district leaders failed to protect students. They asked for staffing changes and policy fixes.
Several parents and former players told the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board on Aug. 20 that the Castile High School girls volleyball program has been damaged by alleged misconduct and insufficient district response.
Katie McPherson, speaking during public comment, said a coach has been accused of "sexual harassment and misdemeanor assault" by a former player and that repeated reports to school administrators were not resolved. "The girls on the Castile volleyball team deserve better," McPherson said, urging the board to "place Coach K, a high-caliber coach into the Castile program," prohibit private businesses from operating for profit inside schools, and meet with seven families seeking help.
Kieran Mitchell recounted his daughter's two-year experience on the varsity team, saying the coach publicly berated players and "snatched her off the court, spit in her face," which he said contributed to the student's mental-health crisis and family hardship. "We had the cops. She talked about suicide. We got counseling," Mitchell said, and he said parents' conversations with the athletic director produced no corrective plan.
Will Aldis also described conduct he characterized as bullying and pressure by the coach to join a private club team tied to the coach. Aldis said his daughter was threatened with reduced playing time if she refused the club, and urged the district to work with the Arizona Interscholastic Association so students who left Castile would not be penalized.
Multiple speakers named district figures and alleged failures of oversight. McPherson said district athletic director Sean Ristad and a school AD had been informed but did not stop the behavior; she also said the district's executive HR director, Dr. Jeff Falloon, "surrendered all of his certificates on August 4 for not protecting students," and that additional employees face hearings in the coming months.
District officials did not debate the substance of those allegations during the public-comment period. Superintendent Narducci thanked speakers and asked staff to follow up with high schools to review sports policies; the board signaled it would take the concerns under advisement and follow up with administration.
The board did not take formal action during the meeting to remove or reassign athletic staff, nor did it vote on new policy language tied specifically to the allegations. Several parents asked for immediate interim steps — reassigning the coach, restricting private club solicitation on campus, and direct meetings with families — but the public meeting record shows only that the board directed staff to check policies and follow up with high schools.
Next steps noted on the record: an administrative promised follow-up with high-school leadership about sports policies and an offer to meet with families; no board-level disciplinary actions were recorded in tonight's agenda or minutes.
The board's public records and future agendas may show whether the district pursues personnel changes, policy revisions or other remedies.
