There have rumors swirling around this week of an investigation of misconduct on the Fergus Falls Boys Soccer team.
Thursday morning, Fergus Falls Superintendent Jeff Drake, released a statement on the investigation.
Drake said that the district is committed to investigating any and all reports of student misconduct. The investigation substantiated the concerns that were brought forward. Though due to state and federal laws the district cannot share the details or what any of the disciplinary actions that the district took.
Drake did say, do to those data privacy laws it can make it difficult to respond to rumors and gossip because, by doing so, the district runs the risk of sharing private information about the students.
You can read Drake’s full statement below.
“On Saturday, September 24, 2022 a concern was brought forward regarding the treatment of a
student-athlete by fellow teammates on the boys’ soccer team. Beginning immediately and
continuing through Wednesday morning, school administrators investigated the concern. The
investigation involved interviewing many students and asking them to sign a document called a
Tennessen Notice, which is a legally required statement of student rights and responsibilities.
This Notice is provided to students any time an investigation is occurring that might result in
consequences for any student. The Notice, which was prepared by our legal counsel, is not a
“confidentiality agreement.”
The investigation substantiated the concerns brought forward, and, as a result, appropriate and
reasonable consequences were applied by the district. As of today, all necessary communications
to students involved in this investigation and their parents/guardians have been made.
Schools are required to abide by state and federal data privacy laws when it comes to information
regarding students. As a result, the district cannot, and will not, share information that is
protected by these laws. These laws can make it difficult to respond to rumors and gossip
because, by doing so, we run the risk of sharing private information about students. Please know
that we took the concern seriously. We investigated quickly and thoroughly. We assigned
appropriate consequences.
The district is committed to investigating any and all reports of student misconduct. To date, we
have no evidence that other incidents involving any other sports have taken place. We encourage
any student-athlete or family who has a concern to communicate with the district Activities
Director, Principal, Counselor, Teacher, Coach, or myself and a consistent process will be
applied.
Students are navigating a difficult world and, like all of us, they sometimes misstep. In these
moments, we do our very best to guide the student to a better choice in the future. It is important
that our school, our parents and our community are unified in our commitment to raising children
with high standards of personal conduct. We take pride in fostering a safe, respectful and
supportive school environment. Our motto, “Otters Are Always Otters” is something that we try
to instill in students daily. We are a school, a family and a community.”