blogs.kxly.com

First, here’s the text version of our story:

SPOKANE — The Ferris High School head boy’s basketball coach has been placed on paid administrative leave and is under investigation by the Spokane Police Department. A Spokane school district spokesperson confirmed Thursday afternoon that Don Van Lierop was placed on leave Wednesday night. Spokane Police confirm they are investigating Van Lierop, but that he has not been arrested, nor have any charges been filed. They say a Spokane student came to the police department Wednesday night and made a complaint involving inappropriate contact by Van Lierop.

The school district is not releasing any additional details.

Van Lierop is the head men’s basketball coach and has led Ferris to back-to-back state championships. He also teaches social studies.

The decision to name Van Lierop was not made lightly, though after discussion involving several members of our staff, it became abundantly clear to me that it was the right one. While Van Lierop has not yet been charged with any crime, there is sufficient evidence for the SPD’s sex crimes unit to launch an investigation, and for the school district to suspend him.

While we may choose not to name a “typical citizen” in a similar set of circumstances, Mr. Van Lierop is not a typical citizen. As a teacher and coach, he’s is in a position of authority over children. He’s been granted a high level of public trust, and the public - especially Ferris students and their families - have every right to know what’s going on. If and when Van Lierop is cleared of the accusations, we’ll report that, too - just as prominently as we’ve reported the initial story.