Jim Thorpe Area School District’s board of directors is set to vote tonight on a procedural change regarding how athletic coaches are hired.

Wednesday’s agenda includes a proposed motion to open up and advertise for all fall and winter coaching positions for the 2023-24 school year.

The suggestion, board President Scott Pompa said, was made by district Superintendent Robert Presley.

“(Presley) mentioned that the school district where he was coming from (Riverside School District) opens up all coaching positions every two years,” Pompa said. “Several board members were receptive to the practice and it was revealed to the coaching staff during the after-season reviews that this may become the new practice.”

Head varsity football coach Mark Rosenberger said he was made aware of the proposal to open up every position during his end-of-season meeting with the board athletic committee, high school principal and athletic director in November. Fall coaches were told a decision would be made at an athletic committee meeting in December, but Wednesday night is the first time it will be put up for formal vote at a board meeting.

“As the head coach here at Jim Thorpe for 25 years, it is disheartening that some of the board members don’t seem to value the loyalty and dedication that myself and my assistants have displayed,” Rosenberger said. “However, it is not only football as we have coaches in every program that are role models for kids and provide a positive influence for our student athletes. So I have to question, why now are they opening up positions without having a just cause?”

Pompa said the new procedure, if approved, would line up with the district’s recent decision to join the Colonial League for all sports in the fall of 2024.

“Would this not be a great time to review positions and prepare for the future of Jim Thorpe participating in sports within the Colonial League?” Pompa said. “It is a perfect time to re-evaluate the extra-curricular sports programs.”

Jim Thorpe typically holds an end-of-year meeting within a few weeks of the conclusion of each sport’s season.

“At this meeting we are told that we are being rehired,” Rosenberger said of the current procedure. “In some instances, however, this is where they decide to open up coaching jobs. It has always been by individual programs and never that we are opening every sports teams’ coaching positions. This is a first in my 25 years here.”

The procedure was discussed at Jim Thorpe’s February athletic committee meeting, when chairman T.J. Garritano said the proposal was aimed at bringing consistency to the process.

“There were a lot of questions on how we hire coaches,” Garritano said in February. “There was a clear initial hiring process but after that there are no real clear guidelines. We talked as a board about putting a policy in place where every two years, positions would be opened up and existing coaches and outside applicants can apply. “

Rosenberger was told to hold off on workouts this off-season until the board decides what is happening with all of the coaching positions.

“Traditionally, we start workouts in late December or early January,” he said. “Thankfully we have outstanding student athletes who have taken it upon themselves to workout either at the school or with personal trainers to keep advancing their athletic abilities and prepare for our fall season.”

Pompa said given the time passed since the idea was originally floated, he asked it be put on Wednesday’s agenda to bring closure.

“For lack of movement and confusion surrounding it, I suggested placing it on the agenda,” he said. “If it passes it passes, if it fails it fails.”

No matter the outcome, Rosenberger said he’s been blessed to work with student athletes in Jim Thorpe for the past 25 years.

“I am thankful for the relationships we have built along with the countless memories that we share and we all laugh and reminisce every time we meet,” he said. “I am thankful to the Jim Thorpe community for all of their support over my time coaching. I hope along with every other coach in Jim Thorpe that we have the chance to return next season to continue to work with our student athletes. Coaching is so much more than wins and losses. It’s about developing the student athletes to be more confident, disciplined and productive members of the Jim Thorpe community.”

The board meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 tonight in the Jim Thorpe High School auditorium.