Former coach and a letter urge board to address decline, alleged mistreatment in Evart competitive cheer program

A former Evart coach and a written correspondence from a former player pressed the Evart Public Schools board on problems in the district’s competitive cheer program, saying the program had essentially collapsed and alleging unprofessional conduct by a coach.

At the public-comment portion, Ashley Flatch told the board she had coached and that “2025 to 2026 school year, there was no competitive cheer team,” describing athletes quitting and parents asking why the program disappeared. Flatch said she had “spent time listening to endless complaints” and asked the board for a clearer explanation and action.

Board members then heard a letter read aloud from Alyssa Smith, a former player who wrote about being left off a senior-night starting lineup and about being mocked after breaking her wrist. The letter concludes, as read to the board, that the writer’s experience with the coach had a “lasting negative impact” and states, “I do not believe she should continue serving as a coach.” The letter was entered into the record by the clerk.

Superintendent and personnel-committee discussion at the meeting indicated the district is reviewing staffing and transition procedures generally; the personnel committee also reported a desire to put clearer transition plans in place for unexpected vacancies. The board did not announce any immediate personnel action or an investigation during the session.

The meeting record shows these concerns were raised through public comment and correspondence; no formal vote or discipline related to the allegations was recorded during the meeting. The superintendent said interviews are under way to fill recent resignations and the personnel committee continues to work on hiring and oversight procedures. Board petition deadlines and other administrative items were discussed later in the meeting.