By Brian Kelly
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE — There was debate over the validity of the investigation into the Marysville School District athletic programs.
And now that the investigator has found no instances of physical harassment, there is debate over the $10,208 cost of the investigation, which critics call a "witch hunt."
Randy Davis, president of the Marysville Coaches Association, said the cash-strapped district could have gotten the same information for free, had district officials simply talked to coaches and others involved in the programs.
"I think it’s ridiculous," Davis said. "It’s beyond me to see the value of what came out of that."
But the investigation was worth the money, district spokesman Karl Kaluza said.
"It brought to light some misperceptions about the (athletics) program and some areas where it can be improved," Kaluza said.
The cost of the survey was more than the district would pay two of its top-end coaches for a season’s work. Looked at another way, the $10,208 could have covered the pay-to-play fees for 291 student athletes.
But ignoring the issues that some parents raised easily could have eclipsed the amount the district spent on the investigation, Kaluza said.
"It was significantly cheaper than any legal fees we could have been liable for or were required to pay had anything bad came to light," he said.
Coaches and sports supporters blasted the probe when it was launched in February, saying the cash-strapped district shouldn’t spend money on what they characterized as a witch hunt.
The investigation, which angered players, parents and coaches, was started by the school board after a small group of parents raised complaints that coaches had harassed and intimidated student athletes. Earlier this month, district officials said the probe uncovered no instances of coaches physically harassing or intimidating student athletes.
The district hired Daphne Schneider, a Redmond-based consultant, at $160 an hour to investigate the athletic program. She interviewed 48 people between Feb. 27 and April 4. Most of those interviewed, 14, were coaches. Nine parents of athletes and four community members were also interviewed, along with seven staff members and administrators.
Kaluza stands by the process.
"I met with the athletic director this week, and he’s doing some great things to improve communications with parents and students in the community," he said. "And the athletic director is committed to making improvements and bettering communications and providing a quality customer service model to the district."
And the investigation report gives the district information it can use to improve sports programs, Kaluza added.
You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.
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