Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Safe Sport Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Multiple public commenters urge board to revisit Safe Sport policy after alleged coach conduct
Summary
Several public commenters, including longtime coaches and a former board member, urged the district to revoke or revise its Safe Sport policy and to investigate alleged inappropriate touching and massaging by a coach (identified in testimony as 'Mr. Weeks').
During the public comment period, several community members urged the Quillayute Valley School District board to address what they described as gaps in the district's Safe Sport policy and raised historical allegations about a coach's conduct.
Rodney Larson detailed training and then reviewed evidence he said showed a coach touching and massaging a female athlete in ways he called inappropriate. "Hopefully, the board takes immediate action to revoke this fundamentally flawed safe sport policy," Larson said, urging clearer definitions and mandatory staff training. His remarks included a description of video frames he said showed touching and a disagreement with a district response that applied a policy caveat "if it is for educational purposes."
Pam Gail, a district track coach since 1997, spoke about earlier reports she said she filed in 2018–2019, describing repeated incidents she said she witnessed and reporting that requested video evidence had not been produced. "I know what I saw," she told the board, and asked the board not to re-employ the coach at any level.
Board chair reminded commenters that personnel matters are sensitive and that some subject matter has been litigated; the board declined to deliberate during public comment, but said it would continue policy discussions at future meetings. No formal motion regarding Safe Sport or personnel was taken during this session.
