Civil rights investigation into Kalispell Public Schools involves softball schedules, district officials say

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has sought information about girls' softball schedules from Kalispell Public Schools as part of a Title IX athletics discrimination complaint, according to district officials.

The Office for Civil Rights opened its investigation April 5.  

“[Kalispell Public Schools] was notified of this new complaint through an information request by [the Office for Civil Rights], asking the district to provide information and details regarding the softball schedules for both high schools,” said district spokesperson Joel Danoy.  

Danoy said the federal agency had not provided the district with any details about the investigation. District officials are gathering the requested information, Danoy said.  

Any person or organization may submit a complaint of discrimination to the Office of Civil Rights when they believe an issue hasn’t been resolved through an institution’s grievance procedure. And people may file complaints on behalf of another individual or group, according to www.ed.gov. 

A complaint is a written statement alleging that the rights of one or more people have been violated and requests the Department of Education act. The Office of Civil Rights opens an investigation when it is determined there is sufficient information to proceed and if the department has jurisdiction to investigate allegations.    

An investigation does not mean that the federal agency has made a decision.   

On April 5, the Office of Civil Rights also opened investigations concerning Butte, Bozeman, Billings, Belgrade, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula, listing “Title IX – athletics” under the type of discrimination without further details. 

The agency is still investigating other cases involving Kalispel Public Schools that were opened in April 11, 2023. The cases involve Title IX discrimination complaints alleging retaliation and sexual violence. These complaints are tied to hazing and sexual assault allegations during the 2021-22 school year involving the Glacier High School wrestling team.   

The district completed internal investigations of the incidents in 2023, and disciplinary hearings held by the board of trustees in closed session resulted in three student suspensions from extracurricular activities. Students were given the opportunity to be eligible to resume extracurriculars upon completion of programming at the Center for Restorative Youth Justice in Kalispell. 

“Kalispell Public Schools is strongly committed to providing an environment that is free of discrimination and promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect for all students, families, and staff. The district continually reviews policies and procedures to maintain the highest standards of student safety and conduct,” an Oct. 28 press release stated. “The district eagerly awaits the results of this ongoing Office of Civil Rights investigation, and no further comments can be made until its conclusion.” 

Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.