LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School District Board of Directors and the public discussed the potential to open the varsity head girls soccer coach position for the 2026-27 school year before eventually tabling the recommendation on Thursday.

Following a nearly 30-minute executive session after the communications portion of the meeting, the board reconvened. Directors heard the first public comment session pertaining to agenda topics.

Parents of girls on the team past and present, and other coaches shared their thoughts for and against opening varsity head girls soccer coach Barrett Knepp’s current position.

Ashley Newman, of Milroy, said, “I met Barrett in fall of (20)22 when my younger daughter joined his youth girls travel team. It didn’t take me long to realize that he eats, sleeps and breathes soccer.”

“He has helped her soccer skills improve so much. Most importantly, her confidence on and off the field has flourished,” Newman added.

Jeff Brytczuk, of Lewistown, said he had the opportunity to coach with Barrett.

“He creates opportunities for the younger girls coming up to experience working out with the university and varsity girls, fostering that growth, giving them camps, letting the girls have the opportunity to develop their leadership and their coaching skills by running these camps,” Brytczuk said.

Carson Hershberger, of Belleville, said, “I am here tonight to say thank you for reopening the position of Mifflin County High School girls’ soccer coach. It is, in my opinion, not a successful program.”

Later, under board action/roll call items, Director Brent Erb motioned and Director Erin Barlup seconded to open and post the position of varsity head girls soccer coach for the 2026-27 school year.

Director Mark Baker then motioned to table the action to open and post the coaching position.

Baker then shared that he believes a meeting should be arranged with Athletic Director Tish Maclay, school board President Zeb Harshbarger and Assistant Athletic Director Bobby Lepley to collect feedback directly from all girls and parents participating in the soccer program before any further action.

Director Cody Wian seconded Baker’s motion before further discussion about tabling the action to open and post the coaching position.

Barlup asked the board to clarify the process for opening and posting coaching positions.

“The board is presented with all of the coaches that are up for retention in the upcoming season and are given a 30-day window to open up the positions,” Harshbarger said.

All directors later approved tabling the action to open and post the coaching position.

During the second public comment period, girls’ soccer player and Mifflin County High School sophomore Madison Keefer shared that she had been playing on Knepp’s team since elementary school.

“I don’t believe that a lot of parents have the right to express their emotions towards the coach when they’re not the ones there on the team and on the field,” Keefer said.

Additional meeting info will be published in a future edition of the Sentinel.