Federal Verdict Fallout
A $250,000 federal jury award against the Quillayute Valley School District over a hostile workplace environment has prompted community members to scrutinize public records and challenge the district's administrative defenses. During Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting, the attempt to restrict public commentary was unsuccessful, resulting in a contentious session where attendees aired grievances regarding the district's handling of safety protocols and supervision.
Policy Criticisms
A local track official with extensive professional training in USA Track and Field addressed the board to criticize the district's "Safe Sport" policy, noting that nearly 70 other state districts have declined to adopt it due to perceived flaws. He testified that Superintendent Diana Reaume utilized this policy in federal court to justify the actions of veteran coach Brian Weekes. According to the witness, a video entered into evidence during the trial depicted a coach massaging a female athlete in the weight room while she lay prone.
The official argued that the physical positioning required to perform such a massage on a supine athlete results in the athlete's loose-fitting athletic shorts riding up, thereby exposing intimate areas. He stated that Superintendent Reaume defended the contact on the witness stand by claiming it was acceptable provided it was for "educational purposes." The speaker rejected this justification, asserting that official training designates massage as the exclusive role of a certified athletic trainer rather than a coach, and refused to accept that the contact served a legitimate educational function.
Allegations of Missing Evidence
Board Chair Bill Rohde attempted to limit the speaker’s time, but another attendee yielded her own time so the discussion could continue. Later in the session, a track coach of 30 seasons detailed her own reports regarding conduct involving Brian Weekes. She stated that in the spring of 2018, she reported inappropriate behavior toward middle school students to then-Athletic Director Kyle Weakley. By the spring of 2019, she had escalated her concerns, reporting that the coach was massaging female athletes to the point where she could not see his hands beneath their shorts.
The most serious allegation involved an incident in April 2019. The coach told the board that she and an assistant coach discovered the veteran coach alone in a dark weight room with a high school student, massaging the athlete's legs. Following the incident, she asked the athletic director to retrieve the surveillance footage from the weight room, but stated that "the tape was never produced."
Testimony provided by a local resident on Tuesday was substantiated by internal correspondence from the Quillayute Valley School District. Records indicate that on April 25, 2019, Superintendent Diana Reaume sent an email to the district’s risk management team. In that message, Reaume noted that coaching staff had reported that a male coach was in the dark weight room massaging the shoulders of a female student.
The superintendent’s email further stated that the administration intended to retrieve video footage from various locations to determine if the incident had been captured on camera. However, the resident who testified stated that this requested footage was never produced or presented.
This sequence of events aligns with sworn deposition testimony provided by Kyle Weakley, the district’s Assistant Superintendent. In that testimony, Weakley acknowledged advising the coach to avoid “stretching” female athletes. He explained that this instruction was intended for the coach’s personal protection to minimize the potential for false accusations, rather than to strictly enforce physical boundaries for the students’ safety.
During the public meeting, former board member Rick Gale took the podium to question the district’s leadership regarding Weakley’s promotion. Before he could complete his statement, Board Chair Bill Rohde interrupted, citing personnel rules to stop the former member from speaking further. Rohde stated, “You can’t talk about personnel here.”
Earlier reporting identified a personal connection between Rohde and Weakley. Both men are members of the local Forks Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Weakley previously served as the Bishop of that ward, a role that granted him spiritual authority over Rohde. This relationship raises questions about potential conflicts of interest when Rohde manages board proceedings involving Weakley.
Following his wife’s testimony, Rick Gale returned to the microphone to address Rohde directly. He asked what distinguished his comments, which were cut short, from his wife’s remarks, which were allowed to continue. Rohde responded by characterizing Rick’s input as “criticizing” while describing Pam’s contribution as “giving information.”
Pam Gale concluded her appearance at the podium with the statement, “Evil persists when good people do nothing.”
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