Several investigations underway after allegations of hazing at Glacier High School

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Amid accusations of sexually assaulting members of the Glacier High Schools wrestling team as part of hazing rituals, Kalispell police and Kalispell Public Schools officials have confirmed separate investigations involving students of the district.

School officials, citing privacy concerns and ongoing litigation, provided few details about their investigation, which they said involved an incident that occurred during the 2021-22 school year. In a statement released Thursday, Superintendent Micah Hill said the alleged misconduct came to light on Jan. 9.

As soon as we learned of this incident, we immediately launched an internal investigation, which included contact with the students involved and their parents. At the same time, we learned that a police investigation into the case was underway, he wrote. The high school, with the support of its board and the district, has taken and will continue to take disciplinary action in accordance with our policies and Montana law.

Kalispell Police Department Capt. Ryan Bartholomew told Inter Lake and independently of the school district last week that his agency was investigating allegations at the high school. Investigators were still interviewing those involved, he said at the time.

We cannot divulge any details, but we are considering it, he said.

On Thursday, Bartholomew said the incident was still under investigation.

But a complaint written by attorney Michael Bliven of the Bliven Law Firm and published by NBC Montana this week alleged that students had suffered assaults, some of them sexual, while participating in the high school wrestling program. The complaint accuses coaches and school officials of turning a blind eye to the assaults, which stem from a high school culture and tradition of hazing.

These assaults and other behaviors occurred through the negligence of Glacier High School and its Director of Activities, Wrestling Coaching Staff, and with the knowledge and consent, if not the direction, or at least the acquiescence of the head wrestling coach, the complaint reads.

Bliven could not be reached for comment. Hill confirmed receiving the complaint on Thursday.

We have received a complaint, but no legal action has been filed, the superintendent said.

Districts board chair Sue Corrigan declined to provide details of the districts’ response.

We are still collecting information about this incident and cannot comment on any ongoing litigation, she said. We must respect the privacy of everyone involved.

Although all school administrators have been contacted in response to the allegations, only a few Corrigans included have responded to requests for comment. Trustee Lloyd Bondy referred inquiries to the superintendent.

Administrator Jack Fallon said council members received an email from one of the complainants earlier in January. When he received an email from the superintendent that included an attachment from legal counsel with instructions on preserving the information earlier this week, he saw it as some sort of warning, something is looming. ‘horizon.

Fallon said he was also aware of the rumors circulating in the community.

The difficulty with part of that conversation is that, as a school board, we become the jury and judge things like this, he said. I don’t know all the details. I heard different things. I know there has been an investigation into this and everything will be presented [to us].

As an administrator, he said his role was to await the results of the investigation from district administrations before acting.

Part of the administration’s job is to investigate, and then the school board needs to hear the investigation, hear from both parties, because all parties will be involved, and then ask questions and deliberate, he said.

Fallon said a special board meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday. Although the districts website does not yet list the event, Hill and Corrigan confirmed the special meeting, although the latter warned that the council would likely enter executive session.

As soon as we have information that we can share, we will, Corrigan said.

In the meantime, Hill pledged to cooperate with law enforcement and asked residents to refrain from speculation. He wrote in a statement that district employees remain committed to supporting students.

We are aware of public conversations, including media reports, that spread rumors and misinformation about this, he wrote. This gossip is of no use to anyone, especially our students, and we ask our community to allow the investigation to proceed unhindered.

Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430.

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