RCS hires law firm for audit of athletics

Richmond Community Schools’ board agreed to hire an outside law firm to conduct a Title IX audit of Richmond High School’s athletics program.

At that Oct. 9 meeting, members appeared open to expanding that analysis if needed.

Before the vote, board members heard from a student volleyball player noting the out-of-season boys basketball team received court access over the in-season volleyball team, as well as two current and former RHS parents raising concerns about equity.

About the audit

RCS’ board approved a proposal from Noblesville-based law firm Church, Church, Hittle + Antrim to conduct the assessment for $19,000.

If RCS chooses to expand the analysis, the law firm might charge additional fees. 

CCHA provides policies to Centerville-Abington Community Schools, serves other Indiana school districts and has expertise in Title IX audits.

The targeted audit is to focus on participation opportunities and treatment areas at RHS.

Studies include:

• Equipment and supplies (uniforms/apparel, sport-specific equipment, instructional devices, conditioning/weight training equipment and storage).
• Scheduling of games/practice time to determine whether RHS is offering enough competitive events per sport compared with the maximum allowed by league/conference rules, number/length of practice opportunities, time of day that competitions/practices are scheduled, and if it’s engaging in available preseason and postseason opportunities.
• Locker rooms/practice/competitive facilities, such as quality, availability, exclusivity of use and maintenance 
• Publicity (availability and quality of sports information personnel, access to other publicity resources, and quality and quantity of publications and other promotional devices featuring girls and boys programs) 

CCHA will request documents, tour facilities and conduct interviews with athletic directors, coaches and a few students per sport in individual interviews or focus groups. CCHA will write a report outlining the state of RHS’ compliance and recommendations.

When asked for more details about the timeline, Superintendent Curtis Wright said a conversation had occurred as early as this time last year when it was brought to his attention that RCS would want to be preemptive regarding concerns. Wright did not specify who was included in the conversation or the nature of the possible concerns, but said the board and leadership team began talking about ways to address those concerns.

Board member John Weber said timing of the audit is fairly crucial because RCS has bond money being considered for athletics facilities.

“I think if there are significant investments to be made, the sooner we know that, the better,” Weber said.

Board member Kym Pickering asked whether CCHA could quickly alert RCS if “red flags” are found rather than waiting until audit completion.

RCS’ attorney, Ron Cross, noted Title IX isn’t just athletics, but involves many aspects of the educational experience.

“Not that I’m afraid it ever would, but this will not be a document that sits on a shelf,” Cross said. “It needs to be obviously a stimulus. We don’t know what it’s going to be stimulating, and we don’t know what direction the response will take.”

Cross suggested consideration of creating an advisory committee to review the completed report. If that committee includes just one board member, it doesn’t have to open its meetings to the public.

He said it’s hard to do things as a committee of the whole when six or seven board members are involved, but accountability is important, along with the full board’s investment in the results. 

Although Cross said he supports transparency, he believes thoroughness is essential for this report and “pretty candid exchanges” are needed about what the implications might be.

Cross said this investigation is just the starting point, and it might not be done quickly. More services might be needed from CCHA or others.

“The finish line may not be directly in our sights right now,” Cross said. “We think it is, but it may not be.”

Speakers

Volleyball player Katie Mathena, a junior, said the team had tried to raise awareness of Title IX inequities, but after telling adults running the athletic department, nothing was done.

“We were tired of this, so we had to do something,” Mathena said. “…This has been going on since I’ve been a freshman and it’s now just coming to attention because we’ve had to make it come to attention.”

Mathena thanked RHS Principal Rae Ferriell-Woolpy for ensuring that volleyball has priority gym access for the remainder of its season.

While acknowledging basketball and football bring in more revenue, Mathena said it should be possible to ensure all athletes have adequate uniforms. She’s also a track runner and said they didn’t have enough jerseys for the team.

“That’s really sad because the people who are in the other jerseys, they must feel some type of way,” she said. “I was once in a different jersey, and I’m like, I don’t feel like a team.”

RHS parent Kory George said the volleyball team fought for what was right even though it was uncomfortable. He said he stands ready to help.

“I view the girls’ behavior as a call to action for the corporation. I ask each of you, had the girls not fought for what they thought is right, would we be here before you tonight? I think the answer is no.”

George said he didn’t appreciate RCS’ Oct. 5 statement discouraging speculation because he felt it was written in a way that placed blame, deflected responsibility and marginalized the volleyball team.  

The Sept. 24 incident about court time was the fourth so far this season, and he believed the previous three had been reported, George said, so RCS had not been meeting its goal of doing its best for all student athletes as the release said.

Jonathan Graham, whose daughter Elizabeth earned individual sectional championships in track before graduating in 2024, said she sometimes received the message that her accomplishments were not as important as those of male athletes.

“That’s not rumor or innuendo, that’s her lived experience,” he said.

Graham said there’s work to be done, and he asked RCS leaders to really see and listen to its female athletes. 

“I don’t know most of these young women, but I am so proud of you,” Graham said of the volleyball team. “What they have done is provide the kind of leadership we should all want in our community.” 

In a personal statement read by Board President Kristen Brunton, she said it can be tricky to understand the board’s role, which is to oversee Superintendent Curtis Wright and district administrators and to make policies. She said the board asks questions but isn’t supposed to investigate or dig into personnel matters.

“I want you to know I am asking those questions, I am hearing you, and I am requesting external investigations and patiently waiting for this due process,” Brunton said.  

After the meeting, the board conducted an executive session closed to the public, to receive information concerning alleged misconduct by an individual over whom the governing body has jurisdiction and to discuss their status as an employee, a student or an independent contractor who is a physician or a bus driver.

Next meeting

The board’s next business meeting will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 13. The time is earlier than usual because some are attending the Indiana School Boards Association meeting that night. The public may attend.