Child and Family Services says reporters of abuse shouldn’t face retaliation

CRIVITZ – Several Crivitz teachers and parents who spoke publicly about disrespectful coaching tactics and language they felt crossed the line in and out of the Crivitz High School athletics department said they fear retaliation.

As one indication of a problem, Parent Damon Roman said, “Parents are terrified to come forward.”

Roman is an athletic trainer in Crivitz who works with student athletes. He said he has heard complaints from several students about high school coaches’ distasteful coaching practices and vindictive, retaliatory behavior. He has witnessed a coach’s disrespectful treatment, including the use of racist slurs and retaliation, and as a result doesn’t want his daughters playing certain sports because of the coaching. After he made a complaint, his older daughter had her playing time cut at a critical time when she was supposed to have a signing ceremony for college track, he recounted.

Roman said he continues to watch for signs of retaliation in the classrooms of his younger children, such as unfair grading.

While anyone is free to report abuse they witness, education professionals should be trained in reporting suspected child maltreatment or neglect, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Communications Director Gina Paige said. These trained “mandated reporters” are required to report child abuse, neglect or threats to children’s safety to the county Child Protective Services office or local law enforcement.

Teachers and other school personnel who report abusive treatment or neglect are to be protected from retaliation for the information they provide, per state law, Paige said.

Wisconsin Statute 48.981 (2) states: “No person making a report under this subsection in good faith may be discharged from employment, disciplined or otherwise discriminated against in regard to employment, or threatened with any such treatment for so doing.”

The Crivitz School Board has met in many closed sessions related to personnel issues this school year, including two scheduled for May 12 and May 14.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Peshtigo Times is keeping identities anonymous for some of the people who have provided information for articles in this week’s issue to reduce the risk that students, teachers or parents could face in retaliation, which in turn can have a chilling effect on free speech.

“You know you brought a complaint to the athletic director; now your kid is treated differently. You don’t want to slander someone, but you’re like, ‘My kid was mistreated,’” he said. Roman was among those who spoke at the April 16 school board meeting, where several student athletes tried to describe what they went through.

“Listening to those girls cry, you couldn’t help tearing up,” Roman said.

“I think sports are very important: how to handle a loss, how to handle stubborn team mates,” he said. “But student athletes shouldn’t have to worry about how their coach will react when they or their parents report one or more abusive incidents.”

Several people have said the problem involves several school district teachers and coaches, not just one. It also involves an administration that hasn’t acted on the problem. One described coaches’ bullying tactics followed by efforts to intimidate parents who complained.

Some said students were also affected when reports were filed.

“They have had retribution in the classroom,” a parent said.

The board previously has met in several closed sessions reportedly to discuss Athletic Director Jeff Dorschner’s request for a compensation increase.

When Dorschner was contacted with a request for comment following a slew of public-input comments about athletics at the April school board meeting, he referred the reporter to Superintendent Kelly Robinson, who said, “Our school district will continue to work and reflect on our practices in order to create a positive learning environment for every student in academics and athletics.” Dorschner reportedly has retained an attorney, though this has not been confirmed.

Dorschner, a Crivitz resident since March 2016, has been a teacher in Crivitz since 2008 and was named athletic director in 2013.

Following Dorschner’s defeat in the April 1 election for village board trustee, a position he had held since 2017, over a dozen people spoke during public input at the April 16 school board meeting about the school’s athletics program and coaching. Amy Grandaw, who had served in dual board roles as president of the Village Board and of the School Board until she was defeated in the Village Trustee election on April 1, declined to respond to a reporter’s request for comments.

Teachers, parents and student athletes have raised issues with the athletics department and the way the administration has failed to act on complaints some say have been brewing for a number of years. Many have raised concerns about their children being retaliated against for information parents bring forward. Employees have expressed concerns that their jobs could be in jeopardy because they alerted administrators to problems. Some teachers also have children who are students in the school.

In other states, such as Illinois, most, if not all, teachers and school staff members are required to be mandated reporters. Mandated reporters are expected to report their concerns without fear of retaliation.

While employees who are mandated reporters are required to provide their name when making a report of child maltreatment, others who witness abuse may report it anonymously, Paige said.

For people who don’t feel comfortable contacting school administrators, an alternative method of reporting abuse involves contacting local child-welfare agencies.

“Regarding reporting suspected child maltreatment, reports that are given to child protective service agencies are confidential by law.

Unless you are a mandated reporter, you can choose to make the report without giving your name,” Paige said.

When witnessing a crime, contact the local law enforcement by calling 9-1-1, not the county child-welfare office, Paige reminded everyone.