Department of Education Investigates Allegations of Sexual Assault at Glacier High

KALISPELL, Mont. – The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights continues to investigate allegations of sexual assault in the Glacier High School athletics department.

The office confirms that the most recent case is another Title IX investigation opened on April 5, 2024.

During the district’s initial investigation, a disciplinary hearing was held and three students faced suspensions from extracurricular activities.

NBC Montana asked the Kalispell school district for its reaction to the ongoing investigation.

They sent out a statement saying, in part: “Kalispell Public Schools is strongly committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and that 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.”

But this is not the first time this has happened. NBC Montana reported last year that several parents and students came forward with allegations of hazing on school buses during wrestling events.

We reached out to the Bliven Law Firm, who represented the parents when the allegations first came to light in April 2023.

They sent this statement about the ongoing investigation: “Our clients want what all students and parents want: the peace of mind that schools will be a safe place for students to learn and participate. We appreciate the work of the Civil Rights Office for clarify areas where a school has not met its responsibility to protect students so that changes can be made.”

NBC Montana also contacted the Office for Civil Rights and Kalispell’s former superintendent, but both declined to comment.

We will continue to monitor this investigation and let you know what happens next.

Full statements from the Bliven Law Firm and the Kalispell Public School District:

Bliven:

“Parents must have confidence that when they send their children to school, they will be safe, including when they participate in school-sanctioned activities. Under Title IX, schools have a duty to protect students from sexual violence and harassment. To protect students, the justice system provides mechanisms to hold schools accountable and protect future students.

“Our office appreciates the Office for Civil Rights’ continued work to investigate our clients’ Title IX complaints and complaints filed by other students and families. We are grateful for OCR’s efforts to defend students’ civil rights.

“Our customers want what all students and parents want: the peace of mind that schools will be a safe place for students to learn and participate. We appreciate the work of the Office for Civil Rights to clarify areas where a school has not met its responsibility to protect students so that changes can be made. We encourage anyone with information regarding sexual assault, sexual harassment or hazing in the Glacier High School wrestling program to contact Noel Nightingale in the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at (206) 607-1632.”

KPS:

“Kalispell Public Schools is strongly committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and that 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 student safety and conduct.

“Our Board of Trustees responded to this current Office for Civil Rights complaint filed in 2022 by immediately conducting an internal investigation that concluded in 2023. KPS administrative actions resulted in the discipline of those involved, and the internal investigation determined closure of the matter.

“The district eagerly awaits the results of this ongoing Office of Civil Rights investigation and no further comment can be made pending its conclusion.”