Plano ISD board tables proposed employment action for coach Jordan Giesen after public outpouring of support

Plano ISD trustees on April 21 voted unanimously to table consideration of a proposed employment action concerning probationary employee Jordan Giesen until the board's May 5 meeting. The motion to table — moved during open session after a closed-session review — was made by Trustee Michael Cook and seconded by Trustee Sam Johnson; President Lauren Tyra announced the motion passed with seven hands raised.

The decision followed a lengthy public-comment period during which nine speakers addressed agenda item 5.5. Multiple students and parents described programmatic and personal benefits they attributed to Giesen's leadership. "She has been nothing but supportive to my daughter and the players and I feel that she has really gone above and beyond to change the culture of our program," parent Michelle Pacinka told trustees. Student Riley Miles also highlighted recent team performance, saying, "This year, we finished 8 and 8 in 5th place in district," and urged trustees to consider the consequences of any personnel action for students.

Other speakers echoed those themes, citing mentorship programs, increased participation and cultural shifts in the softball program. Parent Jason Miles described the program's turnaround and decried the effect of the allegations on players and families: "Never in 1000000 years did we expect to come for this to come back on our daughter and Coach Giesen." After public comment and board discussion, trustees agreed to postpone a decision so that the matter could be considered at the May 5 meeting.

The board's public materials state the item concerns the proposal "to terminate the probationary contract employee, Jordan Giesen, for both good cause or alternatively terminate the probationary contract in the best interest of the district," in accordance with board policies DFAA local and DFBA local.