School district served with notice ‘seeking resolution in advance of litigation’ in Flom matter

Lawyers claiming to represent several Eden Prairie families notified the Eden Prairie School District Thursday of their intent to seek a resolution “in advance of formal litigation” in the case of Eden Prairie High School varsity basketball coach David Flom.

“These parents express deep concern,” the letter stated.

Flom was suspended from his coaching job Dec. 8, 2022, pending an investigation into a complaint about his use of inappropriate language during a team classroom session on Dec. 7.

The Feb.16 letter sent to the district and obtained by EPLN, came from the Minneapolis firm of Walker Law Offices, P.A., and is addressed to Superintendent Dr. John Swanson; Nate Gibbs, Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) principal; Russ Reetz, associate principal; and Aaron Casper, board of director chairman. Attorney William Walker signed the letter.

The letter began by saying that the firm was writing “with apprehension and urgency.” It said the firm had been retained to represent several families, as well as someone whose name had been redacted in the copy received by EPLN. That may be the name of a minor, according to redaction guidelines listed on the Cornell Law School website.

“As you are aware and as was published in the local news forums,” the letter said, “David Flom has presumably displayed discriminatory behavior including but not limited to the use of hostile offensive words to minority students and engaged in grooming practices, requesting that students ‘secret’ communications between him and the students.

“Based on information and belief, the Coach most recently used the ‘N’ word when relaying information to high school kids in a flippant and inappropriate fashion.”

The letter claims that this is not the first incident involving Flom while coaching the varsity basketball team, although it offered no further details.

According to previous reports, Flom used the slur while teaching his players the necessity of being cautious while using social media. The team’s former assistant coach, Nick Ravn, reportedly explained in a letter first obtained by the Star Tribune that Flom used the racist language “attempting to educate his players on the impact of their words, as well as the permanence and impact of social media.”

Flom was reinstated as head coach on Jan. 23 after a more than six-week investigation. Communications Director Dirk Tedmon said that the school district had completed its investigation into the complaints against Coach Flom and that he would transition back as head coach.

Tedmon said state law prohibited the district from releasing more information. “We listened to multiple perspectives, and hope some learning comes out of this difficult time,” he said at the time.

Meanwhile, Flom was happy to be back. “I’m just very appreciative of all the support that we’ve had,” Flom told EPLN Jan. 24 after his first game back.

Flom also released a statement, saying, “I could not possibly be more sorry for all the harm that I have caused.”

He added in the statement, “We are trying to focus our attention and energies on helping the players, school and community to move forward with the lessons learned. I am amazed by the support we have received and continue to receive.”

Later that week, the North High basketball team canceled its Jan. 27 game with the Eagles.

EPLN has reached out to Tedmon and Flom for comment.