Former teacher urges board to explain resignation of longtime New Albany coach
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Summary
At the Feb. 9 New Albany‑Plain Local Board meeting, former district teacher Chrissy Pratt urged the board to explain why football coach Brian Finn, who served the district for 26 years, resigned after being told his contract would not be renewed for code‑of‑conduct reasons. Pratt listed Finn’s accomplishments and said staff and community deserve clearer information.
Chrissy Pratt, a former New Albany‑Plain Local teacher, told the school board on Feb. 9 that the community deserved more transparency after longtime football coach Brian Finn resigned following notification that the district would not renew his contract.
Pratt said she first met Finn in 2017 and praised his character and contributions to the district. “After 26 years, has resigned,” she said, and asked the board to recognize his accomplishments, including 26 seasons with New Albany football and participation in all 14 of the program’s postseason appearances. Pratt also said she had been told Finn was informed the district would not renew his contract because he allegedly “violated the code of conduct,” and that some reported items were routine decisions coaches and teachers make daily.
The public comment did not include a response from district leaders during the public comment period. Pratt framed her remarks around the effects of the resignation on students and staff and urged the board to consider the human and programmatic impacts of losing a long‑tenured coach.
The board did not take formal action on personnel during the public comment; personnel items generally appear later on board agendas and are handled through the superintendent’s recommendations and executive procedures. The meeting proceeded to agenda items that included construction and budget updates.