Inquiry ends of ex-Valley Christian School chief

A state investigation into conduct by the former head administrator at Valley Christian School has been dismissed, state officials confirmed this week.

Wes Evans had been under investigation by the state for failing to report the alleged abuse by a former boys basketball coach at the Spokane Valley private school.

Documents detailing why the complaint was dismissed won’t be available for several weeks, said Sue Pennington in the Office of Professional Practices at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The state continues to investigate the conduct of former coach Steve Altmeyer, who parted ways with the school in 2004 after allegations surfaced that he physically and verbally abused students.

Evans’ contract with the school was terminated last month, but school officials maintain it had nothing to do with the state investigation or the complaints against Evans.

“I think really our position as a school board hasn’t changed much in that we didn’t think that the case itself had merits from the beginning,” said Jeff Smith, school board chair.

That statement angered at least two parents who were among a group of former Valley Christian families involved in bringing the complaint against Evans and Altmeyer.

“That’s bull crap. Just because it was dismissed, doesn’t mean the case doesn’t have merit,” said Linda Lanker, a parent and former track coach at the school. “Jeff Smith sat in our living room and apologized for Wes’ behavior.”

State officials said names and private information would need to be redacted from the records before details of the investigation are released to the public. It was also not known when the investigation into Altmeyer’s behavior would be complete.

Evans was unavailable for comment Thursday.