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Eagle Mountain High students, parents urge board to explain coach’s departure during public comments
Summary
Several Eagle Mountain High students and a parent told the board during public comment April 28 that the girls basketball coach, identified in comments as Coach Jackson, will not return next year; speakers asked the district to explain the circumstances and called for support and an apology to the coach and players.
Four students and a parent addressed the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Board of Trustees during the public comment period on April 28 about the departure of the Eagle Mountain High girls basketball coach, identified in remarks as Coach Jackson.
Emeline (surname given in the sign-in as Gary) said she and teammates “wanted to start off by thanking the athletic directors and school administrators for finding an amazing head coach,” and described the players’ disappointment that the coach is leaving after one season. “You hired the perfect coach. Losing her means that we have to start all over again,” Emeline said.
Taylor Harbison, a freshman on the varsity roster, told trustees the coach “changed lives for many of us” and described the coach as “encouraging, loving, tough, kind, funny, and most of all a motherly figure to every [player].” Taylor said the coach’s departure removed the team’s anticipated momentum for the next season.
Lillian Pisano also described the coach as a unifying figure who built team culture and urged the district to treat the coach’s reputation fairly. A parent, Journey Woodall, told trustees she and other parents learned “through the break run that she was asked to resign or be non‑renewed,” and characterized that as “disheartening coming from the district.” Woodall attributed the coach’s departure to administrative action but did not identify district staff who made personnel decisions.
At the start of public comment, the board president had read the district’s rules for public comment, noting the board “may not ask or answer questions or make any comment regarding your public comments not associated with the posted agenda items” and reminded speakers of FERPA and board policy restrictions on naming students or making derogatory statements about staff.
The board did not take action or make statements about the coach’s employment during the meeting. The remarks during public comment were appeals to the board for an explanation, support for the players, and, in one case, an apology to the coach.
