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Mifflin County SD board tables decision on varsity girls soccer coaching job after hours of public comment
Summary
After more than an hour of public testimony from parents, players and community members, the Mifflin County School District board voted to table a motion to open and post the varsity head girls soccer coach position and directed an athletics listening session before reconsideration on Feb. 19.
The Mifflin County School District Board of Directors on Monday tabled a motion to open and post the varsity head girls soccer coach position for the 2026–27 season after extended public comment and board discussion.
The board’s decision came after multiple parents, students and community members made competing appeals: several callers urged the board to retain the current coach, saying he has built feeder programs and developed players, while others argued the program’s on-field record has been stagnant and the position should be opened. The motion to table passed after board members emphasized following the collective bargaining agreement and giving stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback.
Parents who spoke in support of retaining the coach described long-term development and personal impacts on students. "He's been instrumental in growing the skill and love for the game and youth all over Midland County," said Ashley Newman, who identified herself as a parent. Janet Holt told the board Barrett "has built an outstanding feeder system for our travel organization that directly supports the junior high and high school programs." Several speakers described improvements in goal differential and district-level success during the coach’s tenure.
Opponents said performance and program growth lagged. "I have not seen growth in the team as they play," said Carson Hershberger, who said the team’s best season record was .500 and urged the board to consider new candidates. Matt Quarterovich said the debate is about coaching strategy rather than an individual's character and urged the board to seek new ideas and accountability.
Board members framed the vote around contract and process requirements. A board member recited CBA language that allows athletic positions to be opened within 30 days of the official end of the season and noted the board must take affirmative action to open a position. Several members and the board president highlighted the athletics committee as an ongoing venue for public feedback.
As part of the tabling motion, the board directed Athletic Director Miss McLean to convene listening sessions with players and parents, and asked the athletic director to include the board president in outreach. The board set a follow-up to report back on Feb. 19. Board members stressed that the listening session should gather documented feedback to inform any subsequent decision.
The meeting record shows the board attempted to balance respect for established grievance and review processes with public concern about coaching performance and student experience. The public record ended with the board moving into executive session for personnel, contractual and legal matters.
The board’s next procedural step on the varsity girls soccer position is to receive the report from the athletic director’s listening sessions when it reconvenes; no final action on the position was taken Monday.
