Basketball coach again subject of parents' complaints

ROCK FALLS – Rock Falls High School boys basketball coach Scott Olson again was a topic of discussion at Wednesday’s school board meeting.

Four parents who came to complain about what they say is Olson’s verbal and emotional abuse of his players were given 3 minutes each to speak.

“I don’t verbally abuse my children, nor do I expect anyone else to,” parent Judith Olson said.

Another parent, Josie Anderson, said players were drinking alcohol and smoking spice on a trip to Bloomington for the State Farm Classic.

A fifth parent defended Olson, saying she originally did not support him, but grew to find him approachable and kind. Olson guided her son through hard times, she said.

“My son has had coach Olson yell at him and talk with him,” she said. “He’s stronger because of it.”

At January’s meeting, parents representing 12 players accused Olson and assistant coach Dave Northcutt of verbal and emotional abuse and bullying, and of neglecting players on the Bloomington trips.

Five players supporting Olson attended that meeting.

Olson, who is in his second season as Rock Falls’ coach, did not attend either.

Superintendent Jane Eichman declined to comment Wednesday, calling the issue a personnel matter.

On another topic, parent Karla Burnett told the board that the school’s dress code is too strict. She was called to the school after lunch, when her daughter was told her skirt was too short, but that morning, teachers told her how good she looked, Burnett said.

She said the hemline was 2 inches below her daughter’s fingers with her arms at her sides.

“If you’re going to say someone’s clothes are inappropriate, do it in the first or second class or leave them alone,” Burnett said.

The board did not discuss the dress code.