VIRGINIA- The ISD 2142 School Board voted June 23 to renew North Woods boys basketball coach Jessica Trunnell for the 2026-27 season following renewed criticism from a parent and one board member, while also acknowledging the district’s long-standing process for approving coaching appointments needs to change to comply with state law.
The discussion came after parent Kevin Sheffer, appearing before the board for a third time, and board member Mallory Manick raised concerns about the North Woods boys basketball program. Manick cited what she described as problems with coaching decisions, communication, player development, and the overall culture surrounding the team.
District officials, however, said Minnesota law requires coaches who are not being renewed to receive notice within 60 days after the season ends unless the nonrenewal is based on misconduct or failure to perform duties. State law also specifies that parent complaints alone cannot be the sole reason for not renewing a coaching contract.
Superintendent Reggie Engebritson said the district’s long-standing practice of approving coaching appointments shortly before each sports season had left the board outside that statutory timeline.
“My hope would be that the board would have integrity to follow the law and allow her to stay,” Engebritson said. “We’re definitely going to change that. The coaches should be hired earlier... within the 60 days for all the sports, not just the winter sports.”
Board member Chris Koivisto agreed the district’s process needed to change.
“This is probably a pretty important piece to have in our process,” Koivisto said.
In prior appearances before the board, Sheffer urged members to reopen the position to other applicants. At Tuesday’s meeting, he focused more on the district’s failure to review the coaching position within the 60-day timeline required under state law, saying he understood the board’s legal position but was disappointed the issue had not been addressed earlier.
Manick echoed many of those concerns during the board’s discussion before casting the lone vote against Trunnell’s reappointment.
“I think that’s disappointing,” Manick said. “Because we didn’t have the process in place, now the program, as Kevin said, is even more fragile and we’re going to have to go through another season.”
Other board members said they had heard differing opinions about the program but questioned whether the board had sufficient information to justify rejecting the appointment.
“I’ve seen both sides,” board member Jarrett Bundy said. “I’ve also talked to the AD that supported her for another season. You can’t go against the law. But again, we don’t have anything for a review from our AD either.”
The board also heard a third round of concerns regarding Cherry cheerleading coach Laureal Brown.
Speaking from the perspective of an assistant coach, parent Katy Moyle alleged Brown frequently failed to fulfill coaching responsibilities, leaving her to supervise practices and games while raising concerns previously voiced by parents.
“I’m tired of standing by and having nothing done,” Moyle told the board.
No action was taken regarding the Cherry cheerleading program.