The Board of School Trustees of South Madison Community School Corporation on April 24 voted to support the termination of Jonathan McClure, the girls soccer coach at Pendleton Heights High School, after an extended public-comment period that drew more than 20 speakers for and against him.

The vote came after 22 people signed up to speak during the meeting’s public-comment period, including current players, former players, parents and other community members who gave sharply contrasting accounts of McClure’s conduct and coaching. Supporters described program-building and care for student-athletes; critics said McClure repeatedly broke district policy and created an unsafe environment for some players.

Board President Lord called for a roll-call vote on agenda item 4.7 after trustees removed that item from the consent group for separate consideration. A motion "to support the termination" was made and seconded; the board then recorded affirmative votes on the roll call and carried the motion.

Parents and students who supported McClure told the board he transformed the program and supported players’ academic and personal growth. Ella Todd, a freshman at Pendleton Heights, said, "Coach McClure is the most respectful and educated coach this program has ever had." Several speakers recounted being given new opportunities to play, improved confidence and added resources, including nutrition and mental-health supports.

Other speakers urged the board to back termination, saying the athletic office’s recommendation followed district policy and formal personnel steps. Casey Hart, identified as a parent and long-time community member, told the board, "Mr. McClure has repeatedly broken policy." Several commenters said they had raised concerns during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and that the district had followed a personnel-improvement process before recommending termination.

McClure addressed the board during public comment, saying he had not been provided certain written documentation earlier in his tenure and disputing aspects of the athletic office’s file. He said he had not signed a written agreement he was later told existed and described differences between the personnel file kept at central office and an athletic file presented to him.

Speakers on both sides also raised procedural questions. Supporters noted that the athletic director had reviewed and approved the parent meeting agenda that later drew criticism; critics said prior warnings and policy violations justified termination. Several speakers emphasized the emotional toll on student-athletes from the dispute.

The board’s action on 4.7 followed consent votes earlier in the meeting on routine business including approval of minutes and accounts payable vouchers. The board also approved acceptance of 86 nonresident student applications for the coming year (73 new, 13 continuing); district staff told trustees that each nonresident student brings roughly $8,000 in state support and that about 577 K–12 students are currently enrolled as nonresidents.

The decision to support termination was the board’s formal action on the matter at this meeting. Trustees did not deliver extended public findings during the roll call; the board’s stated next steps or any personnel or appeal processes were not detailed in the public session record. The superintendent, Dr. Hall, and other administrators remain the district contacts for follow-up questions.

The meeting record shows strong community engagement on a personnel matter that directly involves student-athletes and the athletic program. The district’s personnel procedures, the athletic office recommendation and any potential appeals or further administrative steps will determine next steps for the program and affected students and families.