U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights opens investigations in Kalispell, Whitefish and Polson

The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights is investigating discrimination complaints in Kalispell Public Schools, Whitefish School District and Polson School District.  

Superintendents and legal counsel representing the districts were not aware of the complaints when contacted by the Daily Inter Lake.   

A person may submit a complaint to the Office for Civil Rights when they believe an issue hasn’t been resolved through an institution's grievance procedure  

On April 5, the Office for Civil Rights initiated yet another Title IX investigation involving Kalispell Public Schools after determining there was merit to an athletics discrimination complaint.  

There are already four pending Title IX discrimination complaints alleging retaliation and sexual violence under investigation since April 11, 2023. The complaints are tied to hazing and sexual assault allegations during the 2021-22 school year involving the Glacier High School wrestling team.  

Kalispell Public Schools completed its own internal investigations in 2023, and disciplinary hearings held by the board of trustees 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.  

THE OFFICE for Civil Rights initiated an investigation Sept. 11 on a Title VI – racial harassment discrimination complaint in Polson School District.  

A disability discrimination complaint regarding access to a free, appropriate public education concerning Whitefish School District is also being investigated. That investigation began Sept. 12.  

A complaint is a written statement alleging that the rights of one or more people have been violated and requests the department act, according to U.S. Department of Education’s website. The Office for 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.    

The Office for Civil Rights investigates to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support noncompliance of applicable statutes and regulations. Officials provide both the complainant and recipient with a “letter of findings” explaining the reasons for its determination and addressing evidence obtained.  

If the Office for Civil Rights determines there is sufficient evidence to support noncompliance of applicable statutes and regulations, it will send the recipient a proposed resolution agreement. A negotiated agreement must include action steps that will “remedy both the individual discrimination at issue as well as any systematic discrimination.” Additionally, the complainant will be notified by the agency if it intends to negotiate a resolution agreement with the recipient.  

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