The Clinton School Board approved sharing agreements with some area schools for select sports for the next school year-but promised to visit the issue again for the 2016-2017 school year.
That action came after a lengthy discussion with several various options proposed.
The issue was on the previous business agenda, but some board members wanted to say no to the agreements because of an idea that students were open enrolling to the surrounding districts so those districts should not share in the activities of the larger district.
Prince of Peace, Camanche, Northeast and DeWitt have asked to allow their students to participate in specific sports.
The idea limiting sharing only with Prince of Peace schools was proposed but not supported.
Board member Dana Evers is opposed to the sharing agreements and said parents and students must realize there are positives and negatives in each decision.
Board President Jim McGraw was concerned about punishing kids and says he understands the open enrollment issue but it won’t be solved by the small number of students involved in the sports activities.
Evers says if the board approves the agreement for the next year and then they families have a choice to open enroll to the Clinton District if they want to participate in the future. She said it’s about ‘choices.’
Evers said it was a bigger issue than individual kids and families while board member Eric Gettes wanted to support that argument, but couldn’t..
In the end-the board voted 4 to 3 to continue to sharing agreements for select boy’s sports as proposed with Missy Sullivan-Pope, Jack Wenzel and Dana Evers voting no.
While the discussion was on the boys agreements the board the voted to same 4 to 3 vote on a series of agreements for girls sports.
Further discussion was promised on the future of the agreements in enough time for open enrollment decisions.
The boys sports involved are swimming with the Central Clinton School District; swimming and soccer with the Camanche Community School District; tennis and swimming with the Northeast Community School District; and swimming football, wrestling, and tennis for Prince of Peace
For girls activities not provided by their resident school it is swimming with the Central Clinton School District; swimming and soccer with the Camanche Community School District; tennis and swimming with the Northeast Community School District; and swimming, softball, soccer, and tennis for Prince of Peace.
The board also approved a school calendar for the next year with the first day of classes on August 24th and the last day of school the day after Memorial Day. That fits the new legislation for a start date for school. There is also a spring break included.
