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Tri‑City United board votes 6–1 to non‑renew choir director John Sosa after public pleas
Summary
After roughly an hour of public comment from students, parents and boosters urging the board to reverse a contract nonrenewal, the Tri‑City United School Board approved a resolution to non‑renew choir director John Sosa’s 1.0 FTE contract by a 6–1 roll call vote.
The Tri‑City United School Board voted 6–1 on April 27 to decline renewal of choir director John Sosa’s 1.0 FTE teaching contract at the end of the 2025‑26 school year.
Members of the TCU music booster group, students and parents urged the board to reconsider. Claire Meadows read a booster letter saying the choir program had grown from roughly 25 students to more than 70 under Sosa’s leadership and listing festival appearances, reinstated programs and new classes as evidence of program strength. “We respectfully urge you to reconsider the decision made by administration not to renew Mr. John Sosa’s contract,” Meadows said.
Students gave emotional testimony about Sosa’s impact. Choir president Dakota Meadows said Sosa “has helped so many people within our community become who they are today” and described a petition that the boosters reported had collected 479 signatures. Other students said Sosa created a safe, inclusive environment that persuaded some to join choir for the first time and helped several young people gain confidence.
Board members introduced and voted on a written resolution that cited Minnesota Statutes 122A.40, subdivision 5, as the legal authority for reducing a probationary teacher’s contract. Josh Balky introduced the resolution and Trevor Hol seconded it. The board’s roll call was recorded as: Cindy (yes), Susie Rip (no), Josh (yes), Trevor (yes), Marcia (yes), Chris Velasak (yes) and Hillary Birdsell (yes), producing a 6–1 outcome.
The meeting record shows the board heard a sustained public comment period in which multiple speakers urged reconsideration and described Sosa’s contributions — festival participation, Encore program achievements, in‑class growth and new course offerings — but the board proceeded with the nonrenewal resolution after public comment concluded.
The board did not provide additional public detail in the meeting about the administrative reasons for the nonrenewal beyond citing the statutory authority for the employment action. The chair noted personnel matters are confidential and that any follow‑up would come through the superintendent’s office.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: written notice of nonrenewal is to be sent to Mr. Sosa as required by law. The board moved on to other business and then recessed into closed session for a superintendent evaluation.
