Jury Finds QVSD Liable in Larson Case; Emotions Run High at School Board Meeting

Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 23, 2026

A federal jury has found the Quillayute Valley School District liable for creating a hostile work environment in a lawsuit brought by former assistant cross-country coach Kari Larson, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn community attention.

The verdict, delivered April 8 in U.S. District Court in Tacoma before Judge Benjamin H. Settle, awarded Larson $250,000 in damages under the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Jurors determined that Larson had been subjected to a hostile work environment by the district.

The jury did not find the district or former head coach Brian Weekes liable for retaliation. Additionally, Title IX Coordinator and Athletic Director Kyle Weakley was not found liable on claims of negligent supervision or retention. The total award was reduced slightly by $240 after jurors determined Larson had failed to mitigate some damages.

Background of the Case

Larson, a 2015 Forks High School graduate, filed the lawsuit in August 2024 against Weekes, the Quillayute Valley School District, and Weakley. She alleged sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation stemming from her time as an assistant cross-country coach beginning in 2017.

According to the complaint, Weekes allegedly engaged in persistent unwanted physical contact, sent offensive text messages, made sexually suggestive comments, and stalked Larson shortly after she was hired. Larson stated that Weekes’ behavior changed after she transitioned from student-athlete, having previously played soccer under his coaching, to assistant coach.

Weekes denied all allegations in his response, asserting that Larson initiated many of the interactions in question.

An amended complaint filed in February 2025 further alleged that the district had prior knowledge of other reports of inappropriate conduct involving Weekes and failed to follow its own policies in addressing those concerns, as well as Larson’s. The district and Weakley denied those claims.

Community Response at School Board Meeting

The case continued to reverberate locally during the Quillayute Valley School District Board meeting on April 14, where several of Larson’s family members and community supporters spoke out during public comment.

Rod Larson, Kari’s father, delivered an emotional statement, criticizing the district and describing the toll the experience has taken on his daughter. He said Kari had been unable to return to work since the trial and challenged the notion that the verdict should bring closure.

“She should be happy and relieved, but that is not the case,” he said, calling the situation “a despicable incident” that seriously harmed his daughter. He urged the district to be transparent and accountable, adding that no school board members attended the court proceedings.

Larson’s sister, Shannon Gaydeski, also spoke, reflecting on her own time as a student when Weekes began coaching and describing the difficulty of hearing his defense during the trial. She criticized the district’s handling of the situation, alleging failures in record-keeping and investigation.

Gaydeski called the district’s actions “reprehensible” and urged board members to terminate Weekes and bar him from district property. She also expressed concern for current students, noting her own daughter recently entered middle school, and said the district appeared to prioritize liability over student safety.

Additional community members also addressed the board. Ryan Johanson called for a review of district policies in alignment with Secretary of State guidelines, while Isaac Whidden distributed materials and asked the board to examine potential violations related to record retention.

While the jury’s decision resolves key aspects of the civil case, the broader concerns raised by Larson’s family and community members indicate the issue remains far from settled in Forks. Calls for policy review, accountability, and changes within the district are likely to continue as the community processes the outcome and its implications.