West Ada school racially discriminated against athlete, family tort claim says
(EDITOR’S NOTE: To protect the identity of the student, Idaho Education News is not identifying the student’s school, or staff named in the tort claim.)
A family filed a $1 million tort claim against the West Ada School District, alleging that their child experienced race-based discrimination as an athlete on a high school girls’ basketball team.
The claim — which Idaho Education News obtained from the Idaho secretary of state’s office through a public records request — names four members of the team’s coaching staff as potential defendants.
The family accuses the coaching staff of race-based discrimination, retaliation and recruiting violations against the student-athlete, who is Hispanic. The claim was filed in April. The student and her family’s names were redacted, except for their initials.
West Ada spokesperson Niki Scheppers said “as a matter of policy, the district does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation.”
A tort claim is not a lawsuit, but it is a precursor to filing a civil suit against a public agency.
The family has accused the coaching staff of the following:
- Unjustified reduction in playing time.
- Racially inappropriate remarks by a coach.
- Sexually inappropriate conduct by a coach.
- Retaliation following meetings and concerns.
- Exclusion from college recruitment opportunities.
- Violation of undue influence/recruiting rules.
The family is seeking $1 million in compensation for:
- Loss of future scholarship opportunities.
- Emotional distress.
- Harm to academic and athletic reputation.
- Retaliation and hostile athletic environment.
- Out-of-pocket expenses associated with fundraising and team support.
Max Williams, the family’s attorney, did not respond to a request for comment.
EdNews senior reporter Kevin Richert contributed to this report.