Nespelem School rejects GCD district's sports contract

Nespelem School District directors Tuesday voted to reject a proposal for a combined sports program with the Grand Coulee Dam School District.

Directors said it was too restrictive and unfair and reacted to it taking obvious offense.

I clause outlining “participation restrictions” sparked resentment.

Board Chair Jolene Marchand read it out loud:

“Nespelem School District may not initiate, offer or support any independent high school sports program for the duration of this agreement. Should Nespelem launch or sanction any such program, the full athletic combine will be rendered null and void. Upon such occurrence, all the student athletes will become ineligible immediately to participate in Lake Roosevelt athletics, and reinstatement will require formal re-application and approval … from WIAA.

“Advanced Notice. The Nespelem District must provide a minimum of one year written notice to Lake Roosevelt High School before initiating or launching any new athletic programs at the middle or high school level. This notification ensures coordination, avoids overlap, and allows time for appropriate planning or adjustments to the existing combined structure.

Marchand read much more, including transfer clause that would make ineligible for athletics for a year any student who transferred from Lake Roosevelt to Nespelem.

Marchand said Nespelem athletes at Lake Roosevelt “have been threatened. They have been cussed at, they have been intimidated, they have been bullied, they have been told that they should not even play” and in the presence of the coaching staff.

“I think the public also needs to understand that in the past, our agreement was that if we did not have enough athletes to make a team, then we would be allowed to participate with Grand Coulee, “ Marchand said. “So that was the past policy that they said they are no longer in agreement with.”

The board voted unanimously to reject the agreement as presented.

Board members said they would share the proposal with a parent committee to take place on Wednesday night.