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Board removes termination from agenda after public pleas to retain varsity coach
Summary
After multiple community speakers urged the Punxsutawney Area SD board to retain varsity coach Michael Weaver, the board voted 8–1 to remove a proposed personnel termination (item 9) from tonight's agenda; supporters said Weaver apologized and merits continued service.
The Punxsutawney Area School District board on March 9 voted 8–1 to remove a proposed termination of an unnamed employee from tonight’s agenda after a sequence of public comments supporting varsity coach Michael Weaver.
The vote followed a string of public commenters who said Weaver had apologized for a postgame remark and that his on‑court leadership and community contributions merited retention. “I just want to apologize to you,” Weaver said during public comment, adding he loved coaching the players and was dedicated to the program. Supporters described improvements in player discipline and attendance under his leadership.
Why it matters: The removal of personnel item 9 pauses any immediate termination process and keeps the matter on the board’s procedural radar. Public comment and a formal roll‑call vote signaled the issue drew substantive community attention and that board members were responsive to speakers’ concerns.
What happened at the meeting: Multiple district residents addressed the board during public comment. Gail Federhoff urged the board to avoid outsourcing and to prioritize full‑time positions for cafeteria and custodial staff, and separately questioned how temporary staffing would maintain continuity for students. Volunteer coach Bill Basalo told the board he believed there had been an orchestrated effort by some parents to push for Weaver’s removal and insisted Weaver had not abused players. Heather Weaver, the coach’s spouse, asked the board for “grace and mercy,” saying disciplinary actions already had been administered.
Board action and procedure: When the personnel slate came up, a motion was made to remove item 9 (employee termination) from the agenda. The board took a roll call vote and the chair directed the board clerk to record eight yes votes and one no. Mrs. Robertson recorded the roll call at the chair’s request.
What comes next: Removing the item from tonight’s agenda does not necessarily resolve the underlying personnel matter; it postpones any board action or vote on termination. The district also signaled it had held an executive session earlier in the evening and planned a brief executive session after the meeting.
The meeting adjourned for routine business thereafter and added an executive session to the end of the agenda.
