R-II Board Says Timing Not Right to Add Soccer

By Tim Schmidt
Posted 11/7/19

The Wright City R-II School Board voted down an informal proposal to add a soccer program, citing a number of reasons. These reasons include the timing with budget cuts and lack of a formal proposal …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

R-II Board Says Timing Not Right to Add Soccer

Posted

The Wright City R-II School Board voted down an informal proposal to add a soccer program, citing a number of reasons. These reasons include the timing with budget cuts and lack of a formal proposal with details on how the program would be run, a full cost assessment, fundraising and other indicators of fuller community support. The vote to add the sport failed by a 5-2 margin. Alice Klem and Laura Marsh were the only ones to vote in favor of bringing soccer back to the district. "It's our duty to represent the people of the community," said Klem. "It's clear this is something kids feel passionately about." Marsh repeatedly advocated for starting a program throughout the discussion, promising the board that kids and parents would raise $20,000 for startup costs associated with the program, including uniforms and equipment. "We're asking the board to consider support of a soccer program that would give kids the opportunity to participate in the sport of their choice," said Marsh, after several students spoke about their interest in playing and their desire to have soccer as an option to other organized school-sponsored sports. From comments and dialogue during the discussion, few argued with the notion that many students potentially would benefit from a soccer program. About 30 students and adults showed up in support and several spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. A petition of 34 names was presented in support of starting a program. Looking around the lunchroom at the middle school where the meeting was held, board member Gina Allen indicated she was underwhelmed by the show of support. She thought there would be a higher turnout of kids and adults and more names on the petition. Board meetings are normally held at central office, but was moved as officials anticipated a larger-than-usual crowd. At the core of the board's argument against starting soccer at this time is timing as the school is aggressively seeking to cut expenses amid state budget deficits and belief that ultimately the school would be on the hook for legal and fiscal responsibility of the program once launched. "I don't believe you can start a program with $20,000," said Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines, referring to the amount Marsh and other organizers cite as the cost of getting a program going. "In addition to uniforms and equipment, you're going to need to look at where the games are played, supplies, officiating, how the games would be organized and so on." The superintendent stressed that a $20,000 fundraising program by kids and boosters scratches the surface of what would be entailed. "This will end up being a district program and it's my experience that people who ask for an effort of this kind come with a plan," Gaines said. Marsh insisted several times that she and supporters have a plan, albeit not in writing. "We'll raise the money," she stated. After Gaines said he did not believe the first proposed $20,000 would cover the cost of a first-year program, Marsh rescinded her original motion to up the cost to $35,000. Gaines also is concerned that organizing a new athletic program around a specific group of supporters would fragment the school's booster program. "We don't need to end up with a booster group for every sport," he said. "We also can't set a precedent for starting every program for which funds are raised by supporters - that leaves the district wide open to implement too broadly." Board President Austin Jones advised Marsh to go back and put together a written proposal that reflects the support of the athletic boosters and community. "Generate a proposal," Jones told Marsh. Other board members said that while they personally like soccer and understand its appeal, the timing now is ill-advised. "We have so many other programs to be taken care of," board member Mary Groeper said.


X