By Brian Kelly
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE — The controversial investigation into Marysville School District athletic programs found no instances of coaches physically harassing or intimidating student athletes.
"The investigator found no illegal behavior," said Karl Kaluza, school district spokesman. "No coaches employed by the Marysville School District were found to have violated any district policies."
The investigation, which angered parents, players and coaches, was launched by the school board in February after a small group of parents raised complaints that coaches had harassed and intimidated student athletes.
The district hired Daphne Schneider, a Redmond-based consultant, at $160 an hour to investigate the athletic program. The total bill for the investigation has not yet been determined.
According to an overview of the investigation obtained by The Herald, Schneider interviewed 48 people between Feb. 27 and April 4. Most of those interviewed, 14, were coaches. Nine parents of current athletes and four other community members were also interviewed, along with seven staff members and administrators.
Coaches at Marysville-Pilchuck High School were briefed on the results of the investigation last week in a meeting with district superintendent Linda Whitehead.
The major issues that surfaced during the first phase of the investigation included playing time for athletes, how individual players were showcased, scholarships, the importance of winning and how teams are picked. Other programwide issues that were found included how funds and facilities for sports are controlled, and the perceived lack of formal complaint procedures for students and parents.
Some coaches said they were flabbergasted when district officials described the issues that the investigation had uncovered. And the tone was troublesome, too, they said.
"A lot of these issues are common to any district. The same complaints are made everywhere," said girls basketball coach Emil Whitman.
"There was nothing positive stated about the athletic program," said Paul Dockendorf, a freshman boys basketball coach.
Others said the investigation was skewed because so much of it centered on the assumptions and perceptions of just nine parents.
"There’s a big difference between a perception and a fact," said Andy Delegans, a sophomore boys basketball coach.
There are more than 1,200 students involved in athletics in the district, said Doug Pellerin, who coaches seventh-grade football.
"These were hand-chosen parents. It was not a random selection," Pellerin said.
Kaluza, the district spokesman, defended the investigation, saying it revealed "a wealth of information" and will lead to improvements in district athletics.
You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.
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