The Hiawatha board received routine athletics updates and heard a lengthy statement from a board member about crowd behavior and perceived competitive imbalances when the district plays some private or nontraditional schools.

Athletics staff reported participation numbers across volleyball, football, cross country and girls' basketball and said a new athletic trainer app and weekly trainer visits have been added to support injured athletes and return‑to‑play plans. The board was told the district now has an athletic trainer at events and a trainer who meets with students weekly at the high school.

A board member raised specific concerns about crowd behavior and alcohol at an opposing school's home game: he described repeated incidents of tailgating, public drinking and disruptive fan conduct during a recent home game and said police were asked to intervene. "They were swarming it; they were going to ring it," the member said referring to a school bell, and urged district leaders to consider whether to continue scheduling contests at that site.

The board member also discussed statewide classification rules and a perceived competitive advantage for some private schools that recruit students. He suggested the district consider joining other rural districts in asking the state or the Kansas State High School Activities Association to review classification or multiplier rules that determine competitive classes. He said neighboring states use "multipliers" or other measures to address recruitment advantages and urged an agenda item or coordinated district approach to advocate for legislative change.

District athletic staff said they will continue to monitor conduct at away sites and assess league scheduling. No formal action was taken; the board asked staff to place the competitive‑classification topic on a future agenda for discussion.