Parent urges board to fix stadium, hire coaches before seniors’ final season

Jana Black, a parent and secretary of the boys’ soccer boosters, told the Millersburg Area SD board the district’s stadium is “embarrassing and demoralizing” and urged repairs and timely hiring so seniors can finish their last season on a usable field.

Black’s written public comment, read into the record by a board member, said seven volleyball players are also on the boys’ soccer team and that the district’s timing for a blanket termination of coaches two months before the fall season left players uncertain. “For 18 of your most talented student athletes literally in school history, this is the last time there’ll be Millersburg soccer players on that wreck of a field and we will never get this time back,” the comment said.

The comment listed the seniors’ academic and extracurricular achievements and asked the board to “fix the stadium before the start of the last season and hire the coaches so we can move on as a team.” The parent also praised volunteer coaches who stepped in and specifically thanked “coach Jess” for ensuring a season for the volleyball team.

Board members and administrators responded during reports and the facilities discussion. Facilities lead Mr. Kravis told the board the district recently received the final occupancy permit for the new building and outlined staged work on the stadium: removal of four light poles, preparation of concrete pads and an August installation window for new lights. “We do do have our final occupancy permit for our new building,” Mr. Kravis said, noting roof warranty work and an energy‑recovery wheel replacement would come at no cost.

Administrators discussed temporary audio options for the fall — renting a DJ system or buying permanent equipment now and storing it until the press box and permanent infrastructure are in place. Board members asked the athletic director and business office to research cost, storage and insurance implications; the administration agreed to follow up before fall scheduling decisions.

The board did not take an immediate vote tied to the public comment; it proceeded with agenda motions approving personnel and capital items. The administration told members they will coordinate with the AD about audio choices and the timing of light and press‑box work.

The next procedural step on athletics-related capital work is the planned demo and prep work in mid‑July and installation activity in August; the board approved related contracts and capital expenditures elsewhere on the agenda.