Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors voted to dismiss cheerleading coach Patricia Sterner on Monday after an emotional public meeting filled with testimony from students, parents and supporters both defending and criticizing her leadership.

The decision followed an investigation by Superintendent Jason Moser, who said the program had become deeply divided and that a change in leadership was the only way to begin repairing it.

“Sometimes there’s such a divide in the culture of an athletics program that the most logical action to take is to recommend a change in leadership,” Moser said. “Such a change is perhaps the only way to improve the culture when efforts have already been made on both sides.”

Moser said the situation was not about determining who was right or wrong, but about restoring unity.

“There is no winner here,” he said. “Nobody walks away better off. But the recommendation stands. There is a clear divide among the student-athletes participating in the program, and that divide has continued to grow.”

The board unanimously approved Sterner’s dismissal following Moser’s statement. The district did not announce Monday who would be taking over the role following Sterner’s dismissal. She received a $5,332.08 stipend as cheerleading coach.

Sterner, a Lehighton graduate who led the cheerleading team to its first District 11 title in school history and three consecutive championships since 2022, stood before the board to defend her record and deny accusations from parents and athletes.

“I stand by the actions and decisions I made with my coaching staff,” Sterner said. “I have always expected my athletes to meet high standards. They must respect their coaches, teammates and staff, maintain their grades and represent the school with pride.”

She said she was worried about the message her removal would send.

“If the board decides to terminate me because of false allegations, parents and athletes who disagree with a teacher or coach will think they can do the same thing,” she said. “We need to hold our district to the highest standard and support one another as we work together to rise to it.”

Several parents and students urged the board to remove Sterner, alleging that she created a toxic environment that left many girls feeling humiliated and excluded.

Danielle Lindenmoyer, the mother of a former cheerleader, said her daughter was left out of events and recognition because she did not participate in competition cheerleading her senior year.

“She should have earned her four-year varsity letter, but was denied recognition and wasn’t even invited to the banquet,” she said. “She tried so hard thinking that it was her fault, but ultimately she just felt she didn’t belong. Coaches are meant to build kids up, not tear them down.”

Christine Steigerwalt, whose daughter has been on the team for four years, told the board the issues stretched beyond one incident.

“This is not about an isolated issue but a sustained pattern that has deeply impacted the well-being of many of our student cheerleaders,” he said. “Over the last four years, 13 girls have quit the program or not returned due to Coach Sterner and her actions.”

She accused Sterner of favoritism and sharing private messages between parents and team members.

“There has been a significant loss of respect for Coach Sterner among both athletes and parents,” he said. “These behaviors have undermined trust, created resentment and contributed to a toxic environment.”

Other parents described a program that had lost its positive energy. One mother said her daughter often came home in tears.

Several students echoed those complaints.

Cheerleader Olivia Maier said, “No matter how hard I try, it feels like she only focuses on certain girls. The team has become divided, and our confidence keeps getting lower every year.”

Fellow cheerleader Abby Steigerwalt told the board she stopped competing because of stress.

“Coach Tricia takes no consideration of girls’ mental health,” she said. “No one feels comfortable going back besides the girls she favors.”

Multiple parents and students described Sept. 26’s homecoming football game as a breaking point, saying the team “fell apart in front of everyone in the stands.” Parent Autumn Abelovsky recalled seeing Sterner “stunting with the alumni group, having the time of her life” while her team was in tears. “That’s when she should have been taking care of her team,” the parent said. “That’s who’s in charge of our children.”

But a number of parents spoke in Sterner’s defense, crediting her with helping their children grow through structure and discipline.

“If we can’t hold our students and coaches accountable,” parent Ashley Overton said, “what are we doing? It takes a community. I trust the decisions our coaches make because they’re trying to make our kids better athletes and better people.”

Jennifer Bailey said her daughter had never been mistreated.

“Trish has been great with her,” she said. “If there has been any sign of bullying, it’s been among the cheerleaders, not from the coach. You don’t win three district titles by letting the girls do whatever they want. Sometimes you have to be tough.”

Sterner’s success and the loyalty she still has among current athletes was a focal point for Erik Corby, the father of a cheerleader.

“My daughter idolizes Trish,” he said. “There are quite a few supporters here tonight. I want the board to understand that if Coach Trish is removed, some of these girls will quit the team.”

Abelovsky, who said she had tried to remain neutral, told the board, “There’s no doubt Tricia is a good cheerleading coach. She’s brought titles and trophies to the school. But unfortunately, that success has come at the expense of the emotional well-being of some of these girls.”