Many in Jim Thorpe Area School District are upset with a recent decision to move the high school football coach from his current administrator position to a new one.

Mark Rosenberger was recently transferred to an assistant principal position at L.B. Morris Elementary from the same job at the high school. The move took effect last Tuesday. It does not affect Rosenberger’s position as high school football coach.

Superintendent John Rushefski said Rosenberger’s experience is needed at L.B. Morris, which has been without an assistant principal since the beginning of the school year.

“Mr. Rosenberger taught sixth grade in the district for a number of years, he has some very good experience as an assistant principal, we think he’ll do a really good job at L.B. Morris elementary school,” Rushefski said.

Teachers and alumni voiced their opposition to the decision to move Rosenberger during a recent meeting of the board’s policy and personnel committee.

Parents and teachers said that the high school administration worked well with Rosenberger in place. They said his presence makes the building run more smoothly.

Liz Hoerchak, a JTAHS parent, said she feels Jim Thorpe Area High School is safer with Rosenberger. She said he is a positive role model for students.

“There’s a lot of kids who don’t do anything because he’s here. They will run wild, and it will be dangerous,” she said.

Two teachers in the high school special education department said that Rosenberger is a particular help when it comes to their students who receive emotional support. Mary Beth Dowbachuk said the support he provides them and all students has been needed more than ever since the pandemic.

“Why are we taking support from these children during a pandemic?” Dowbachuk said.

Craig Zurn, an assistant football coach, said Rosenberger inspired him as a student to reach for high expectations, and as an adult to give back to his community. He called the decision to replace Rosenberger a “band-aid” fix.

During that meeting, board member TJ Garritano thanked those who spoke in support Rosenberger, and said he believes that board members wanted to move him for their own personal reasons.

Rushefski said that the decision was his own. He said that the superintendent has the power to assign administrators, and the school board has supported his use of it.

Rushefski said L.B. Morris had the greatest need for Rosenberger’s services because it is the district’s largest school by population.

The school’s assistant principal position has been open since August, when Jeff White was promoted to take over for departing Principal Shawn Albert.

“He did a great job as the assistant principal at the high school. I think he’ll do a great job at the L.B. Morris,” Rushefski said.

Rushefski said that Rosenberger and White will bring a combination of experience and new ideas.

The board has also posted the assistant high school principal position. As of Monday night, there were openings for both assistant principal positions posted on the district website.

Board member Jerry Strubinger said the decision to move Rosenberger was the superintendent’s. Strubinger said he supports the decision to move Rosenberger to L.B. Morris, citing Rosenberger’s experience as an elementary teacher.

Strubinger and Rushefski both denied that moving Rosenberger from the high school would negatively affect student behavior and discipline.

Strubinger said he has faith in the security personnel at the high school. He noted that the district’s administration, including Rushefski, are available to help since they moved their administrative offices to the high school building last year.

“You have to put your people in the best places, and right now that’s where my highest need is,” Rushefski said.