Clarksville board accepts recommendation to terminate varsity girls wrestling coach after private hearing

The Clarksville Community School Board voted on Jan. 19 to accept the administration's recommendation to terminate the varsity girls wrestling coaching contract of Ben Lovrien, effective immediately.

Board President Justin Clark called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. in the high school library. Before the board entered a private hearing under Iowa Code Section 279.19A(7), community members Addy Johnson, Sara Lodge, Emmet Lovrien, Wanda Lovrien and Ben Lovrien addressed the board and voiced their support for Lovrien.

The board moved into a private hearing at 5:35 p.m. and returned to open session at 6:38 p.m. Following the closed session, Phil Barnett moved and Megan Hoodjer seconded a motion to accept the administration's recommendation to terminate the coaching contract of Ben Lovrien. The roll call recorded ayes from Justin Clark, Phil Barnett, Shelley Maiers and Megan Hoodjer; no nays were recorded. The motion indicates the termination is effective immediately.

The transcript and minutes do not record the text of the private deliberations held under Iowa Code Section 279.19A(7); the public record shows only the board's procedural actions, the names of commenters who voiced support for Lovrien and the roll-call outcome. Brandon Kampman left the meeting at 6:35 p.m. and was not listed on the termination roll call.

The board adjourned at 6:42 p.m. No additional public statements from board members about the reasons for the termination appear in the meeting minutes.