Linn-Mar Football

BoEE clears Linn-Mar of all complaints

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners has cleared Linn-Mar football coaches and administrators of all complaints that were filed by some Linn-Mar families this winter.

Dr. Quintin Shepherd, the superintendent of Linn-Mar schools, confirmed early Wednesday morning that the BoEE investigation has ended with no charges being filed.

"Yes, the BoEE has dismissed all complaints against all employees of Linn-Mar," Dr. Shepherd replied in response to an e-mail from the Metro Sports Report.

Linn-Mar head football coach Bob Forsyth and assistant coach Matt Casebolt had been accused by Linn-Mar families of abusive behavior toward their children. Scott Mahmens, who retired as the Linn-Mar athletic director in June, and Dr. Jeff Gustason, the Linn-Mar principal, also were accused by the families of not taking effective action in response to their complaints.

The Linn-Mar school district investigated the complaints this winter and dismissed all the complaints due to insufficient evidence. The families then filed their complaints with the BoEE, which investigated the matter and decided not to file charges.

BoEE officials do not comment on cases, according to a board spokesman who also said that no documents related to the investigation will be released to the public.

Read more...

Forsyth, Casebolt still coaching L-M football

Bob Forsyth and Matt Casebolt are still teachers and football coaches at Linn-Mar High School, according to information provided by Linn-Mar officials to the Metro Sports Report on Monday.

Forsyth is listed as the head football coach and as an instructor in the Linn-Mar fitness department. Casebolt is listed as an assistant varsity football coach and as an instructor in the fitness department.

Forsyth and Casebolt are currently being investigated by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners as a result of complaints filed by Linn-Mar parents. The investigation is still under way. The BoEE has the authority to suspend or revoke teaching and coaching licenses if "practitioners" are found guilty of ethics violations.

High school football practice begins Aug. 8. Linn-Mar is scheduled to open the season Aug. 26 at Iowa City High.

Read more...

BoEE gets complaints from Linn-Mar families

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) has received official complaints from Linn-Mar families about the Linn-Mar football and weightlifting programs, according to one of the parents involved.

Bob Jordan, one of the leaders of the Concerned Parents Group, said he spoke with Kim Cunningham, the board secretary, on Monday to review the documents and discuss the situation.

Jordan said additional documents will be sent to the BoEE in the next few days.

The BoEE staff will review the complaints and decide whether to accept or reject the case, according to the BoEE complaint resolution process. If the case is accepted, an investigator will be assigned to begin an official probe.

The Linn-Mar parents have filed complaints against assistant football coach Matt Casebolt, head football coach Bob Forsyth, athletic director Scott Mahmens and principal Jeff Gustason. Five families have filed formal complaints with the BoEE, but at least 20 families have all shared similar concerns.

The families claim their sons have suffered verbal, mental, emotional and/or physical abuse. They have cited Casebolt in many of the complaints, but also hold Forsyth, Mahmens and Gustason responsible for not taking effective action to end the alleged problems.

Read more...

L-M board supports administration

The Linn-Mar Board of Education fully supports Linn-Mar administrators in the way they've handled complaints from unhappy Linn-Mar football families and does not plan to take any action in the matter.

"We fully support the administration's investigation," Tim Isenberg, the board president, told the Metro Sports Report Friday morning. "Do we trust the administration? Yes. Did they do the right job? Yes."

The Linn-Mar families, who call themselves the Concerned Parent Group, have filed serious allegations against assistant football coach Matt Casebolt in terms of verbal, mental, emotional and physical abuse. They have accused Casebolt of taunting, harassment and bullying and also have accused him of physically harming a player by shoving a 45-pound weight into his face.

The parents also have complained about head football coach Bob Forsyth, athletic director Scott Mahmens and princial Jeff Gustason, complaining they have allowed the abuse to occur and continue.

Linn-Mar administrators conducted an in-house investigation and dismissed all complaints due to "insufficient evidence," according to letters Gustason sent to the parents.

Read more...