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Parents, witnesses urge transparency after federal jury finds district liable in coach harassment case
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the Quillayute Valley School District board that a federal jury verdict and apparent gaps in the district's response require a public review of policies, recordkeeping and possible disciplinary steps for staff implicated in misconduct.
Public commenters urged the Quillayute Valley School District board to launch a transparent review of district policies and administrative responses after what they described as a recent federal jury verdict involving allegations against a former coach.
Rod Larson told the board that "a jury found" a complaint related to cross-country coaching conduct, said he did not intend to relitigate the case but wanted the board to "examine laws, policies, procedures, and administrative actions" that allowed alleged abuses. Shannon Gudetsky, who said she sat through the Tacoma trial, recounted testimony about inappropriate touching and asked the board to "fire Brian Weekes for cause and permanently bar him from district property and events." Michael Gudeski read excerpts from the court record and said the jury found the district liable for negligence, arguing the district prioritized limiting liability over student and employee safety.
The commenters named several people who testified in court and requested the board initiate a public process to review investigations, reporting and possible disciplinary steps. The chair acknowledged the comments and said the board would discuss the matter further at a later time; no formal board action was announced at the meeting.
