FILE – Har-Ber High School head coach Kimberly Jenkins speaks to her players during the Crabtree Invitational basketball tournament on Thursday December 6, 2018 at Tiger Arena in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / CHARLIE KAIJO)
SPRINGDALE – Har-Ber High School basketball coach Kimberly Jenkins defended herself Thursday against claims made in a civil rights complaint by a banned player.
“I was falsely accused of racism and other unsubstantiated allegations on a public forum recently by a disgruntled former player, her parents and her lawyer,” Jenkins said Thursday.
Kania Starks claims through her parents and attorney Brandon Pickett that Jenkins and others discriminated against Starks because of their federal protection status.
Starks has filed a federal civil rights complaint alleging she was discriminated against because of her race and disability, and she was dismissed and kicked off the varsity team after reporting an incident involving her coach’s son to police.
The complaint was filed with the Kansas City Federal Bureau of Civil Rights. It names the Springdale School District and Har-Ber High School. According to Pickett, the complaint was filed after the school completed the complaint process.
School district officials said Tuesday they would not comment on pending legal issues.
Jenkins said she has been training for 24 years and her goal is to help her players become better young women and athletes by developing a culture in her program of effort, attitude, body language, communication and the ability to being a good teammate as a basketball and life skill highlighted.
“Regarding the current situation, my only regret is that no resolution and relationship could be found during a two and a half year process and recent acts of good faith have not been returned,” said Jenkins. “It is unfortunate that she, her parents and her lawyer have chosen the route of throwing mud in a public opinion court rather than a court where witnesses testify under oath, which has significant consequences if found wrong is seen.”
According to Starks ‘complaint, a meeting was held with school administrators to discuss ongoing concerns about abuse and violations of Starks’ education plan by the head coach and their staff. The complaint alleges that Starks, a three-year starter, was removed from the varsity roster and trained as a result of that meeting with the junior varsity.
The complaint also alleges that Starks was pushed off a chair by the coach’s son on December 11 and bruised his leg. Five days after filing a police report, Starks was reportedly suspended from the team.
Ron Wood can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWARDW.
Comments are closed.