Chart: Protecting coaches' jobs

August 19, 2014 at 6:00AM

The issue: Advocates for Minnesota high school coaches sought protection from increasingly vocal and demanding parents getting involved in sports, usually seeking more playing time or better roles for their high school athletes.

The statute: A bill signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2013 added one line to an existing statute on coaching contract renewal: "The existence of parent complaints must not be the sole reason for a board to not renew a coaching contract.'' Supporters believed it would help coaches who work under annual contracts that must be renewed each season. Critics feared it could undermine the authority of school boards tasked with such contract decisions.

The result: In the first school year of the new law, some coaches associations reported fewer calls from coaches under fire from parent complaints. But others said little has changed, with such complaints continuing to play a significant role in coaches leaving their jobs.

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