Bill Would Shield Minn. Coaches From Parent Gripes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota high school coaches could soon have a bit more job protection.

A bill now before the Legislature would add a sentence to the existing Minnesota law that governs the rights of coaches to contest their dismissals. It says that parent complaints can't be the sole reason for letting a coach go.

State Rep. Dean Urdahl, a former varsity cross country coach, says he's trying to guard against coaches losing their jobs when a parent complains about a child's playing time or the type of plays they call.

The Grove City Republican says parent complaints about inappropriate behavior would still be taken seriously and other laws would come into play.

The bill's cosponsor is Rep. Paul Marquart, a Democrat who is chairman of a House education panel.

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